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Posted on 07/01/2019 12:03:00 AM PDT by JustAmy
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Inspiring!
Thank you, (((Jane))).
Thank you, Silrnt Gypsy.
I love having you here!
That’s a gorgeous photo!
Bible in a Year : Psalms 13–15; Acts 19:21–41
I have learned the secret of being content. Philippians 4:12
The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands not far from our home in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous.
Venus flytraps release a sweet-smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, triggering sensors along the outer rim, the trap clamps shut in less than a second—capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.
God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle Paul warned his protégé Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9–10).
Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v. 6).
The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True, lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.
Which do you think more about—money or your relationship with God? How can you give Him the highest priority today?
Loving Lord, You are the greatest blessing of my life! Help me to live contentedly with all that You are today.
Why thank you!
It’s all about the “search words”. For this photo it was “peaceful summer Sunday”
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Thank you.
Hot here too. Looks like it will last a week.
Summers are always like this in New England. We just forget when we are hip deep in SNOW.
We get horrible humidity that makes 95 feel like 105.
: /
They’re predicting 90-95 for the next 10 days.
Still better than -30.
: )
“Still better than -30.”
ANYTHING is better than that!
Bible in a Year : Psalms 16–17; Acts 20:1–16
You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. Psalm 16:2 “My precious . . .” First portrayed in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, the image of the emaciated creature Gollum in his maniacal obsession with the “precious ring of power” has become an iconic one today—for greed, obsession, even insanity.
It’s also a troublingly relatable image. In his tormented love-hate relationship with both the ring and with himself, Gollum’s voice echoes the hunger in our own hearts. Whether it’s directed at one thing in particular, or just a vague longing for “more,” we’re sure that once we finally get our own “precious,” we’ll be satisfied. But instead, what we thought would make us whole leaves us feeling even emptier than before.
There’s a better way to live. As David expresses in Psalm 16, when the longings in our hearts threaten to send us on a desperate, futile quest for satisfaction (v. 4), we can remember to turn to God for refuge (v. 1), reminding ourselves that apart from Him we have nothing (v. 2).
And as our eyes stop looking for satisfaction “out there” to gaze instead on God’s beauty (v. 8), we find ourselves finally tasting true contentment—a life of basking in the “joy [of God’s] presence,” walking with Him each moment in “the way of life”—now and forever (v. 11 nlt).
What’s the thing you often turn to for satisfaction when you lose sight of God? Who can be a source of support and love for you when you feel trapped in your addiction to “more”?
God, forgive me for thinking I can find what I need apart from You. Thank You for always being there even when I forget to look for You. Draw me to Your side to live in the joy of walking with You.
Thank you.
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Your welcome
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Good night Kitty Mittens!
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