Is it plagiarism?

Or is it Memorex? well since my memory is mostly an EX -- the Paraphrase Psalms 139 came from someplace on the internet - most likely someone else's blog - sorry if I'm not giving credit where it is due! I've printed this off for myself with my name inserted in the blank spaces-----apparently I must be reminded God knows what is going on - and even better how it will all turn out. Our move continues - we've slept in new place since November 21st. Still getting carloads of "stuff" moved - y'all really and truly - sort through and give away or throwaway or burn or whatever half your stuff - you don't know how much of it you have until you are forced to deal with it ALL!

With that loving warning - yes it is Christmas season even in my often Grinchish mood --- we hope/expect/plan to hear from Transplant Schedule Coordinator (all people associated with big research hospital/clinic apparently are either doctors or coordinators - FYI). At that point - we'll have some idea of the testing and examination schedule DH faces. Still no idea how/if we'll do the whole transplant experience but we are assured/stand firm on and know doggoned well- God Knows and we are living in that truth! Much love and Christmas Carols (in case you are taking a poll - I cannot abide Drummer Boy song and love Carol of the Bells or almost anything with bells and midnight clears or angels sing) and not too much shopping but TONS of being with people you love - time is short - shorter than anyone seems willing to admit. I'm praying for many of you - please remember those who have had a death/huge loss in their family this year - there is NO WAY I don't care how holy and righteous you think you are - NO WAY we can "get over it" - we get through loss - we get through pain by the Grace of God but all the perky sayings in all the perky sunshiney blogs in the world cannot ease the pain. A nice plate of cookies, a hug, a shared session of tears, those are ways to tell someone they are not alone in this world.

Random enough for y'all? I'm outta here - more moving to do and some carols to enjoy. To the wonderful person who put up this version of Psalm 139 before me - thank you and forgive my plagiarism - but we both need the same assurance. It is good on Buhlaland because ---He Loves ME still - Amen.

I, the Lord, have searched you, _____________ and know you. I know when you sit and when you rise. I know your thoughts before you even think them, _______________ I know when you go out, when you sleep and are totally familiar with all your ways! Before you speak, _________________, I the Lord know what you’re going to say. I am with you, completely and I go before and come after, keeping you, always, in My love; I hold you in My righteous right hand. I, the Lord, know all there is to know about you, yet I love you . . .still.

_______________, you cannot hide from My Spirit nor can you run from My presence. It is simply not possible. Should you go to the heavens, I, the Lord, am there. Or, if you go to the depths of the sea or depression or any other depths, I, the Lord, am also there____________, I was there before you, waiting. If you rise at dawn or settle on the far side of the sea, I, the Lord, am there and will yet guide you. I, the Lord, hold you, ____________ in my righteous right hand; you may say, the darkness will hide me and the light is the same as the dark but just because you say it, doesn’t make it true. I, the Lord, consider dark as light and because I am Light, there is no darkness to Me.

______________, I the Lord created you and, before you were in your Mother’s womb. I knew all about you. You were not hidden from me, not then and not now. All your days have been ordained by me and I, the Lord, know you are My beloved creation. If you learn nothing else as you live this wonderful life I have given you . . . know these things: I am the Lord God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and I love you, _______________ so much I sent My Son to die in your place. Why? Because I want you to return to Heaven and live with me through Eternity.

_____________, I know My thoughts are vast and you cannot truly comprehend them but choose to love Me; I will always take care of you. I, the Lord, care for you because I created you and I love you. I know your heart and all your anxious thoughts; I love you, still, ___________ love me.

I, the Lord, can be trusted with your heart.

Good to have a Friend

I've been a little tired - for what seems a long while but tired distorts my sense of time and probably proportion. This morning -this glorious summery SonDay morning - the gifts of rest, restoration and worship are mine to enjoy. While shooting a picture directly at a light source isn't "right" - I loved the effect of pure light breaking through. The light breaks through both visually and emotionally - and yes spiritually. I do have a friend - who will be with me to the end. Life is blessed on Buhlaland with productive work, times of tiredness leading to surrendering to rest. Bless y'all - sit a while and think of how the light reaches you. It is good on Buhlaland - and restful

Saddest Verses in The New Testament

We are still not able to go to traditional (as in at a building with hundreds of other people) church services due to DH's immune issues. We watch and are blessed by the teachings of some preachers (both on television and internet) but sit in jaw-dropped amazement at the total lack of scriptural authenticity in others. Today in our devotionals we read a section in Matthew which struck me as the saddest verses in the NT - now don't come at me saying verses around the crucifixion are sadder - we know Christ's sacrifice was for a purposeful plan the Father had to give us a way back to Him.

The Narrow and Wide Gates NIV Matthew 7:13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

I've read these verses at least a hundred times in my 6 decades of life- but this morning those words "only a few find it" hit me so hard. Jesus taught clearly to thousands a truth which the world wants to ignore. MOST will choose the easy road and be led to destruction. Following the teachings of some spiritual leaders will not get you to that narrow gate.

Just a few verses later it is clear how the end will be for those who deliberately misconstrue His words and teachings- (the Message paraphrase)Matthew 7:21-23"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.' "

I realize, dear readers, we are all at different stages in understanding. If you haven't been reading the Bible regularly I highly recommend it as a daily activity. We believe the Holy Spirit reveals to us when we are ready - when we have "ears to hear". Apparently I am at a point where I need to realize not everyone we love is going to choose the narrow road - we'll continue to pray for opening their eyes to the truth , for their hearts not to be hardened - but it isn't up to us. So it is good on Buhlaland - we have the blessing of scriptures to read and eyes to see and ears to hear - even when those eyes are shedding tears.

As an editorial note - I'll enable comment moderation for this post - seems to be a number of folks out there with particular demons to exorcise in their minds who like to post comments.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

I'm sure the average person feels pretty great this time of year - barring a nasty cold, financial stresses, bad weather, unpleasant people in the malls or whatever obstacle they may think is in the way of their happiness. But those of us who Believe are a chosen people and commanded to give thanks in all things. Some seasons it is easier to be thankful . This December morning my gladness overflows,I realize how blessed I am. My home is safe and cozy with lights glittering on the porch,someone I love is inside the house. Sun is rising and begins to burn off a mist making the world smell fresh and new. When I walk out to the goat pens - the goats look up as if in welcome. It is good - and I'm giving thanks today - it is the right season every season to give thanks.

Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Ever think things are just a little "off"?

I was deleting some picture files and stopped at this one. It is of a bathtub in a rental unit we manage - look closely at the drain and the faucet - yep - off by a good bit! Glad to have my perception of the apartment confirmed by a picture - t'ain't straight. Reading and hearing from our western culture that I am wrong in my beliefs for many years now - I am becoming cautious about stating firmly - "this is SO". One friend and I decided our lives must be part of a fable. Remember the Emperor's New Clothes ? Much of the world is nekkid as a jaybird and seems compelled to declare my insistence on truth old fashioned, ignorant or only looking at one truth. If you have a drain that is not aliged with the faucets by a good ten inches don't tell me it is my perception. The Bible tells me people will call good evil and evil will be called good. Deciding to call a lie the truth still doesn't make it true!

An illustration I heard when living in Vermont was that being born in Vermont doesn't make a person a Vermonter. A cat could have kittens in the oven but that don't make'em muffins.

It is good in Buhlaland, blessed beyond belief and truly tired already of the pundits, news media and candidates - it is a LONG time until November y'all. I'm going back outside and tend my tomatoes. Curmudgeoning along the way - I won't be like this later on - simply letting it get posted because maybe someone else is seeing a Naked Emperor.