[JustAmy]

3-21-05
Graphic by MamaBear

Spring

The birds seem happy when they sing,
In truth, they call a warning.
To other males who might intrude,
“Go somewhere else this morning!”

With strident voice and puffed out chest,
They pose as on display.
The ladies flutter here and there,
Today’s a shopping day!

They’re looking ‘round for husbands,
And other things as well,
Material to build a place,
For gifts wrapped in a shell.

Happy Father’s Day, my dear,
Go find a bit of lunch.
I think we’ll have some company,
Expect to feed a bunch!

It all happens so quickly!
Life Springs forth in a pace,
That seems to make a joke of this,
Spring-fevered Human race!

NicknamedBob . . . March 30, 2004
© 2004 - 2005

[The Mayor]

March 21, 2005

A Bumpy Road

Read:
Philippians 1:27-30

To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. -Philippians 1:29

Bible In One Year: Judges 9-12

When people tell me life is hard, I always reply, "Of course it is." I find that answer more satisfying than anything else I can say. Writer Charles Williams said, "The world is painful in any case; but it is quite unbearable if anybody gives us the idea that we are meant to be liking it."

The path by which God takes us often seems to lead away from what we perceive as our good, causing us to believe we've missed a turn and taken the wrong road. That's because most of us have been taught to believe that if we're on the right track God's goodness will always translate into a life free of trouble.

But that's a pipe dream far removed from the biblical perspective. God's love often leads us down roads where earthly comforts fail us. Paul said, "To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29). When we come to the end of all our dark valleys, we'll understand that every circumstance has been allowed for our ultimate good.

"No other route would have been as safe and as certain as the one by which we came," Bible teacher F. B. Meyer said. "If only we could see the path as God has always seen it, we would have selected it as well." -David Roper

If some darker lot be good,
Lord, teach us to endure
The sorrow, pain, or solitude
That makes the spirit pure. -Irons

No trial would cause us to despair if we knew God's reason for allowing it.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
10 Reasons To Believe In A God Who Allows Suffering

[DollyCali]

Hey I have good timing to be eating lunch & checking mail/pings..

Happy First Day of Spring (wouldn't know it here as we awoke to a couple inch white coating on all.. YUK

Didn't get back to the thread last night as I got in late & began reading the "Terri Stuff" & the Dose & fell asleep literally at computer. Will relay the Palm Sunday story in next couple days. In the mean time Happy Monday to all

[NicknamedBob]

While you were busy over here, I was being morose elsewhere...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank y'all so much for the precious poem and graphic!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Monday!

65 degrees right now, heading for around 79, maybe 80 today.

The bad news is we may see up to 60 mph winds and hail later.

[Mama_Bear]

I love this poem today, NnB.

Speaking of birds defending their territory, our two baby Jays who have been coming for peanuts every morning for at least 10 months have grown up and lately are too busy defending their territory to come by anymore. They are still around though. I hear them squawking in the park behind us and see them anxiously flying from tree to tree. I can hear an interloper Jay on the outskirts of the park that is keeping my Jays all worked up.

I hope that eventually they will start coming by for their peanuts again. I have gotten quite attached to them. I've even named them; Precocious and Pretentious. And I can tell them apart by their behavior, even though they look identical.

Here is one of their baby pictures that I posted last summer.....

[Darksheare]

Hello!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you Mama Bear and Bob.

[silverleaf]

Uh Oh- looks like Easter may be a little late this year...