Fruit in the Time of Testing

“…feed on His faithfulness…”

My garden as been such a reflection of my life this year.

Just when I want to give up, I step outside and see fruit on the vine that was barren and long past yielding any hope for the future.

Oh my soul, wait. Yes, wait on the Lord for He will surely bring His promises and word to pass.

May this be an encouragement to all who, like me, are waiting on the Lord.

“Trust in the Lord…dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness…Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:3-6 NKJV

I find it encouraging to see there are 40 verses in Psalm 37. Forty (40) is the number for “testing” in Scripture.

“He is their strength in the time of trouble, and the LORD shall help them…and save them because they trust in Him.” Psalm 37:40 NKJV

Between the “Still” and “Wait”

“When I thought, “My foot slips”

Your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.

When the cares of my heart are many,

Your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 94:18 ESV

“Time line –

Between September and October.

Between Still and Wait.

Between Here and Now.

Between Walk and Faith”.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

Time Line by denisebalog 2018

Grace in the Wilderness

Two years ago I was lead to quit my beloved position as Elementary secretary.

My son would be a Senior the coming year and he didn’t need to have his “Momma” so close at hand. I bit of tough love for both of us.

The Lord gave me a promise in His Word.

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3

I knew if He drew me out, even though it made no sense in the natural thinking and ways of the world, I knew, believed in my heart, my Good, Good Father knew best.

In His kindness He opened the door for many wonderful experiences over these past two years.

The opportunity to attend several “Measured by Character” programs that go into Middle and High schools to build up our youth and tear down “bullying” in the schools.

The Lord opened the door to restore, what I had long forgotten, my love for photography. Encouraging and blessings my hand to photograph many He laid to my heart to do so for His glory.

He brought my lens to help out at Cowboy camp.

And to my complete surprise, returning me to Israel when again it would not have ever been possible without His drawing me.

With all that said, in the midst of my two years, I would return to the following verse of His promises.

“Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt…you shall again be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the dance of those who rejoice.” Jeremiah 31:4 NKJV

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This post was (so I thought) originally posted on Wednesday, September 5. The night before I would begin again, as one “who rejoice” by substitute teaching up at school.

My first class was Art – 5th, 3rd, 1st grades and older students in the afternoon. We had a blast!

I wondered what had happen t the post?  Discovering somehow between beginning on my phone and finishing on the desktop, it never posted.

I pray you are blessed to be reminded His Word is Faithful and True. 

“…He remains faithful – for He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 ESV

Blessings,

Denise

 

At the Gate of Different

“A dream before seen.”

Different.

“Sometimes you have to do things different.

A walk before talk.

A dream before seen.

A harvest a bit early, but never too late.

A thought at the gate;

The future awaits!

Sometimes you have to do things different; causing your heart to anticipate!”

“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2

“Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him” Romans 12:1 The Message

“God brings the best out of you…” Romans 12:2 The Message

Poem by denisebalog

Morning Devotional time sent from my phone.

Blessings,

Denise

Stand and Tell

“For you are the aperture of My eye.”

“Skies cleaning;

Fall nearing.

Anticipation in all Your plans;

Confident all is well.

For by Your Blood I stand and tell,

“Do not be afraid, be of strong courage!”

For I AM with you always.

Do not be dismayed or discouraged,

For I Will fight your battles at hand.

For I AM God, and not mere man.

Keep your eyes focused true,

For you are the aperture of My eye, and I do not, ever, no ever, move My sight or heart from you.”

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

Morning prayer and devotional from my phone.

Blessings to you for your day,

Denise

Delight in the Light

“Oh, how sweet the light of  day,

And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!”

WM DSC_6288-2

 

“Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted.

Take delight in each light-filled hour.”

Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 The Message

 

Photography by denisebalog©2018

F 4.0

1/500

ISO 64

85mm

Nikon D810

RAW

Come Thristy

Bought water today for upcoming road trip to a women’s conference.

Thought about how often it feels like we go from waist deep in the Word, to the feeling of barefooted, walking through a dry creek bed. Anyone?

Went looking for “thirst” in Hebrew.

#6770, tsame’. The letter pictures speak this to me. (Gosh, I love Hebrew)

On my knees, hands lifted in prayer and praise, “thirsty” for the First love of my life, Jesus.

Tsadik, Mem, Alef. (Reading the letters pictured right to left)

I wonder if the Lord allows us to get a bit “dry” to prepare our empty vessel for an overflowing drink of water.

Can’t wait Lord, fill me up!!

“Ho! Everyone who thirst,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.”
Isaiah 55:1 NKJV

Thirsty – tsame’ – Tsadik, Mem, Alef

PS: Hebrew letter picture chart can be found on the menu bar. I am posting freeflow from my phone and was not able to insert individually.

Blessings,

Denise

In the Cool of the Garden

“And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” Genesis 3:8 nkjv

I see a lot of flowers but no fruit.

Ouch, that one hurt Lord.

Yep, a true Word spoken to my spirit and a visual picture to remember.

I have several things and projects in the making but common day distractions seem to be my excuse. (Laundry, dinner, blah, blah).

I see no fruit.

Thank You Lord, I needed to see that.

“He makes everything beautiful in it’s time…”Ecclesiastes 3:8

“Now to Him Who able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory” Ephesians 3:20

Yep, I needed to hear this “in the cool of ” of my garden. Stop making excuses and watch the fruit grow!

Blessings in your garden today,

Denise

PS: I learned how to tag and use categories today on my new gardening too, my phone😊

The Struggle of the Daily Post

Ok, so I was doing really good at preparing “daily posts”. Then technology got up in my business!

Long story short as they say, new phone in hand. It’s a dandy too, (thank you supportive husband) but gosh it has SO much more to learn and do.

With that said, thinking on this whole “move forward, fall backward” to no post at all, I am believing His Word,

“All things work for good according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 ( paraphrase I am sure)

I am going to learn how to post from my phone in addition to the comfortable, snuggly place of my desktop. Even if this new phone asked me one more time, “Do you want to allow…?”!

Thank you for “allowing” me the room to expand my posting ability in this new season of growth.

Blessings,

Denise

Been to Camp

“That you may tell it to the generation following.” Psalm 48:13 NKJV

 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 NKJV

 

Missing my WordPress friends.

Blessings for a safe and joyous Fourth of July!

Denise

P.S.: Had to replace my phone so I’ve been “out of pocket” as they like to say around here. Local interpretation: “not available by design or unexpected circumstances.” 

Photos captured from “Cowboy Camp” where we enjoy “Just Braggin’ on Jesus” 2018