Fruit in the Time of Testing

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

____________________________________________

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

 

Colors of Hope

“LORD,

You’ve planted a vision

Deep inside of me.

Stir up the colors,

Refresh my eyes to see.

Plans for the future,

Guided by Your Son.

“To prosper and not harm me,

You’ve purposed everyone!”

 

“For I know the thoughts

That I think toward you,

Says the LORD,

Thoughts of

Peace and not evil,

To give you a

Future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

Poem by denisebalog©2016

Photograph captured by denisebalog©2018 – Jerusalem

Sure and Steadfast

“This hope we have as an anchor of our soul,

Both sure and steadfast…” Hebrews 6:19 NKJV

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

In that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV

 

Photographs captured by denisebalog©2018 at Caesarea, Israel

Walk don’t Race

“Don’t lose sight of the vision.
For with God there is no revision.
Only mercy and grace
In life’s empty place.
For His plan is a walk
And not a hopeless race.”

“Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God,
The LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary…
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might
He increases strength..
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV

Poem by denisebalog 2018
Photo capture by denisebalog 2017

Oil of Joy – Restoration – Part 2 of 3

“The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

Eighteen years after fire

Consuming the Tac Barn, temporarily storing our lifetime of family memories, my family and I began to reclaim the overgrown horse pen.

2017

 

 Working side by side, we bonded with the land and appreciation for the opportunity to do so.

Never realizing we were moving in a new path of restoration.

Through no will or action on our own, a friend asked if we would be interested in a little building she used as a small office. Yes, we were interested, but with a son heading to college, purchasing was not in the plans.

Friends moved the little building with excitement and joy of helping.

Grace, pure Grace. No purchase required.

Completely gifted, and in God’s beauty of Restoration, it fit PERFECTLY on the fire marred cement slap where the original Tac barn once stood.

Did God have a plan for this new building?

Friends came to help establish God’s plan.

While we were cleaning up and  marveling in what was happening before our eyes, a “Vision” was beginning to be birth in my heart.

 

Tomorrow’s post – Work  and Purpose – Vision Direction – 3 of 3

Beauty for Ashes – Part 1 of 3

“To give them beauty for ashes…”Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

Precious lifetime treasures temporarily stored between leather saddles and horse gear gone.

Fire consumed it all; ashes.

That was in 1999. One year after our very premature son was born. (1# 12 oz.). We were just beginning to get on our feet again.

We never expected to be hit in the stomach with another punch.

“And they shall rebuild the old ruins,

They shall raise up the former desolations…” Isaiah 61:4 NKJV

2016 Horse pen area.

 

Eighteen years later, my son and I began to clean up and clear out the old horse pen area.

1996

2017

 

Little did we know, we would see God’s restoration begin to unfold before our eyes.

 

 Tomorrow ‘s post– Oil of Joy – Restoration – 2 of 3

Denise

Thankfulness Said

“Today’s not the day

To think what’s ahead.

Embrace the past,

With thankfulness said.

Faithful,

Hope and

Presence so dear;

Covering us with love

Each day of the year.

Thank You Jesus

For the well-being of heart.

Let it be the song

We sing as the

New Year starts.”

 

“Praise the LORD,

Call upon His Name;

Declare His deeds among the peoples,

Make mention that His Name

Is exalted.

Sing to the LORD,

For He has done excellent things.”

Isaiah 12:4-5 NKJV

 

Poem by denisebalog©2017

Image by RonBalog©2017

Released from the Net

After a personal week of silence and in a dry place,

Truth broke through revealing the Light!

 

“If not depression,

This must be deception.

Stealing my joy,

Claiming the day.

Going about “like a lion”

Having its say.

 

Go away nasty nagger,

I’m tired of hearing from you.

Screaming nonsenses,

Repeating regrets;

Snagging my foot in

The “snare of the fowlers net”.

 

Release the grip

On my Joy;

Not another minute

Playing your toy.

 

I’m claiming my

“Hope”

In this season of

“Light”!

Speaking the

Mighty,

Powerful,

Magnificence,

Name of Jesus,

For He conquered darkness

And puts all evil to flight!”

 

“Our soul has escaped as a bird

From the snare of the fowlers;

The snare is broken, and we

Have escaped.” Psalm 124:7 NKJV

 

“Be sober, be vigilant;

Because your adversary the devil

Walks about

Like a roaring lion,

Seeking whom he may devour.

Resist him,

Steadfast in the faith…” 1 Peter 5:7-8 NKJV

 

“Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,

Because the LORD holds his hand.” Psalm 37:24 HCSB

 

“Then Jesus spoke to them again:

“I AM the Light of the world.

Anyone who follows Me will never

Walk in the darkness

But will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 HCSB

Poem by denisebalog©2017

Photo captured by denisebalog©2017

Threefold Cord

“Two are better than one,
Because they have good reward for their labor…
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9&12 NKJV

Progress a bit slower today.

Working together, and fighting the nats and not ourselves, we finished our day feeling successful and hopeful to the view ahead.

First Stop

Week 2 – Day 4

“The Quest”

First Stop

“Sitting in the northern view

Looking ahead to the

Day brand new.

Dreaming with Joy

Open to see

The morning Light

Bursting forth with

Hope, and

Unlimited possibilities.”

 

“Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” Genesis 18:14 NKJV

 

“God is with you in all that you do.” Genesis 21:22 NJJV

 

Week 2 – Day Four of Bible Study and Fellowship.

“The Quest” by Beth Moore – ISBN 978-1-4627-6660-4 – Item #005796350

Lifeway Church Resources, Nashville, TN

Poem by denisebalog©2017

Photo by denisebalog©2017