Friday Bible Journaling

The book of NAHUM is about God's judgement on NINEVEH ~which was a wicked & impressive empire.   God's people wanting to hear this might have been terrifying to them if God was about to pour out judgement, would anyone really be safe??

In the middle of that sobering message. about God's impending judgement, NAHUM, reminds them that the LORD is good, even when He tears down evil, His heart toward His people does not change.  He remains a refuge, a stronghold for those who trust in Him.

    We can relate to this as well, if we look around seeing moral decay in our world, the cultural hostilities against Christians,  injustice is happening everywhere.  It can feel sometimes like God is silent or even asleep while the world  around us unravels.   Have you ever felt like this?  Have you wondered if God is really aware of your situation or does it seem like He is asleep, or not paying attention to your prayers?

Sometimes it can feel this way even when it isn't true. NAHUMS words reminds us that God has not turned His faith away, His judgement on evil isn't a sign of His absence, but proof of His holiness.  Even in chaos, He draws His people closer and keeps us safe.   *In ancient time a refuge was a fortress, a walled city, a place where the enemies could not reach you* **this is the picture that NAHUM gives us of God, Himself**

When the world shakes, the news is frightening, our own life feels uncertain, God is my STRONGHOLD, then NAHUM adds something important, he says this care is for those who take refuge in Him it is not just about knowing that God is good, it is about trusting enough to run to Him.

    FAITH opens the door to experience His protection **LET THIS SINK IN**

    DOUBT  builds a wall around our hearts

    TRUST on the other hand places us under His covering

When we choose to rest in Gods goodness, rather than to fear what what is happening around us, we discover His personal care in a VERY personal way

In NAHUM's day God judged a violent empire, but He preserved His people, in our day, when we see corruption, hostilities rising, we cling to the same truth.  Gods heart hasn't shifted, His goodness is steady, His refuge is real, His care is experienced mostly when we lean on Him in faith.

Christ himself is our ultimate refuge, on the cross He bore the judgement that we deserved, so that we could feel safe with Him forever.   

Because He lives we have a fortress that nothing can shake.

The LORD is good , He's our stronghold, he knows when we take refuge in Him

 

Monday Clouds

These were taken Saturday evening as a nice storm came rolling thru

The sky was so beautiful that only God can paint that way

Isn't our Master a beautiful artist

 

 I was literally driving right into this storm, I prayed for God's angels of protection

This was on the way to the rodeo with my girlfriend who just moved back from AZ  Good news I found a country church I want to try if something goes awry with the current church   Cowboy Church of Talala OK    cowboycountryfellowship 

Don’t Be Overwhelmed with Fear

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea” (Ps. 46:1–2). 

The psalmist’s confidence finds its root in his theology. In the Hebrew word order, the first two words of the psalm contain the secret: “God is for us a refuge.”  God is for us. He is not against us. Let that thought sink in. Christian, God is on your side. His being is for you. So are His wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. God in His fullness is engaged on your side and for your benefit. In this regard, the psalmist identifies three particular aspects of God’s relation to His people:

1. God is for us as the One to whom we can run when we’re in danger (refuge).
2. God is for us as the One who’s strong when we are weak (strength).
3. God is for us because He is near when we need help—literally, “a help in tight places, very findable” (Ps. 46:1).

THE LIGHTHOUSE  one of my all time favorite songs

AUTUMN EQUINOX

You can join here TUESDAY 4

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4... are you ready for Autumn?

Monday,  September 22 is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season.  

Autumn is the name of the season and fall is the term for the time of Autumn when leaves begin to fall from the trees.   Let's discuss it.....

1. Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out?  

I do have chrysanthemums out,  usually no on pumpkins

2. Are stores around you showing Autumn clothing and decor now? 

YES, unfortunately they already have Christmas stuff going out, I think the stores skip over fall. 

3. Do you have plans for Thanksgiving yet?         

Not so much anymore, as all the family I have is 2 brothers, we meet at my brother who is the middle child, we usually have both nieces, nephew, and the great nephews an niece

4 . If we can arrange an autumn trip or get away for you, where will you choose to go and why? 

I have always heard that Virginia is beautiful in the fall, the scenery and lots of Civil War history.  This year I WOULD LOVE to go to Talimena Drive it is so beautiful  Talimena DR you can see for your self here.

Lets Blog 91325

 

Lets Blog!

Welcome once again friends to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and                                         how about talking about blogging this week since it's something                                we all do anyway.   

Get yourself a cuppa, come sit down at your computer and let's think about                                              blogging for a bit....

Blog is short for Weblog, a log or diary on the World Wide Web or internet.                                       Your journal or diary can hold personal stories, ideas, opinions of all kinds                                            and can be private or public as you wish.                                                                                                     It is an excellent way to document your life or interests.

1. Why did you begin blogging?  

 To share my life adventures publicly, enjoyed the blog hops and all of the challenges, and the cute little blog awards, See my page for the awards link,  I have done the A to Z challenge several times

2. What benefits does blogging offer you?

lets me tell you my story, share my photos,  visit other blogs

3. Have you made friends from blogging?

Yes several friends I have made at 1 time I had over 200 followers sadly since other social media have taken over not as many now.

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you?

I use my photos,  life situations,  particular things I like, recipes etc.   other than what I use on blog hops my blogs are all original.  What inspires me is when I get readers, followers, and comments

Tuesday 91625

Happy Tuesday all!   I am almost all done with my dental work, hopefully this Thursday will be the last one for 3 months.   

Our little school *Inola High School, OK* won the nationwide T-Mobile  competition to get a new  $2 million upgraded football field and the weight lifting room.

People in town decorate hay bales to what they like, in honor of Inola Hay Day since Inola, OK is the hay capital of the world pretty cool huh?

This one won 1st place.

This is my best friend since 1982,  we stay in touch, and again only live 3 miles apart.  This picture was taken at Hay Day last Friday after the foot ball game.

I promise I am back and will quit taking breaks.   thank you all for the patience with me 

 

Today's Verse for Tuesday, September 16

Romans 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of                               God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for cooler temps (we got a break from the 100+ with humidity).

My Salvation, The unconditional love of my heavenly Father

Bible Study on Tuesdays I am loving it, one of my friends is going now too

Food in the fridge and cabinets

Bible Journaling *I still really enjoy this*

The Friday before I had to have a molar, very back one on the bottom right pulled as it was way

loose. :(   I have genetic on both sides of having bad gums) saw the dentist today, however my bad 

gums, aren't (thankfully) as bad as we had initially thought, no cavities, but 4 cracked teeth *dentist said they most likely will be fine till later date, I have 1 very bad broken tooth, which will be crowned.

Next week *Monday* I will be getting a scaling done, deep root cleaning, they can only do 1/2 at a time because they have to numb you to do it.  I am thankful for my teeth not being worse

These beautiful clouds appeared on my way to and from Bible Study.

 

My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.  I am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  John 10:10-11

Sunday

 

Today's Verse for Sunday, August 17

1 Corinthians 13:12

12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; 

then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; 

then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I love railroads and trains

this made a nice b/w photo.

I love when God gives me opportunities for 

photos when I am in need.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

—John 15:13

AWWW Monday

 This is 5 of my kitties *#6 is the little black one you can only see her tail, she is only 3

months old, along with Graecie my mini weenie dog

Stormy Monday

 

Today's Verse for Monday, August 11

Psalms 119:28

28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me                    according to your word.

We got some much needed rain and a nice break in                          the heat.  I have been so busy with other things I                           totally forgot to show some achievements.

I am officially a certified storm spotter, I have always

enjoyed the weather, I decided it was time to do                            what I have always loved.  The difference                                               between the storm spotter and storm chaser: 

next step is to be AWS certified

A storm spotter and a storm chaser both                                              observe severe weather, but their roles                                             and motivations differ significantly.                                              Storm spotters are trained volunteers                                             who report on storms in their                                                        local area to the National Weather Service (NWS),                             while storm  chasers actively pursue storms to                                observe, document, and sometimes study                                     them, often traveling long distances. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Storm Spotters:

• Role:

Primarily focus on providing real-time reports                                   on storm conditions, such as hail size, wind                                 speed, and tornado sightings, to the                                        National Weather Service. 

• Motivation:

Driven by a desire to help their communities                                        by providing critical information for                                            issuing timely warnings. 

• Location:

Typically stay within their local area or county,                              often near their homes. 

• Training:

Often volunteers with organizations like                               SKYWARN, receiving training from the                                       National Weather Service. 

• Equipment:

May use radios for communication,                                                   but their primary tools are their eyes and                           observational skills. 

Storm Chasers:

• Role:

Actively track and follow storms, often                                             traveling long distances to get close                                                  to severe weather phenomena like tornadoes. 

• Motivation:

Driven by personal interest in severe weather,                          scientific research, or media documentation. 

• Location:

May travel hundreds of miles to intercept storms,                        often covering large areas. 

• Training:

May have formal meteorological training or                                      be self-taught, but often have extensive                                knowledge of storm dynamics and forecasting. 

• Equipment:

May use sophisticated equipment, including                             weather stations, radar,                                                                   and communication systems. 

Key Differences:

• Primary focus: Spotters report,                                           chasers track and observe. 
• Geographic scope: Spotters focus                                              on local areas,                                                                       
  chasers may travel long distances. 
• Motivation: Spotters are community-focused,                    chasers may be driven by personal or                                       scientific interests. 
• Training and Expertise: Both may be trained,                            but chasers tend to have more specialized                     knowledge and equipment. 

Below are my completion certificates.  

  

                                                                                                        

The pics below,  God sure knows how to paint.  

I love our OK sunrises/sunsets  this is the sunrise

this am at 638am.

The cloud photos are before our rain/thunderstorm 

God beauty always shines through                                                          no matter the situation

Friends and Family

Today's Verse for Sunday, August 10

Lamentations 3:31-32

31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,                           so great is his unfailing love.

Happy Sunday all.   We have been in the oven again and no relief in sight   Saturday (yesterday (was 95 real feel 116)

Thank you to my faithful followers *I am back to posting*  I took a social media break.  I have been going to Bible study since the end of May and love it!  in my spare time I am doing Bible Journaling and 2 different devotionals every day.   I am growing my relationship with Jesus and God!

Knowing your purpose is key to two very important qualities you need for success:  Tenacity and Resilience 

tenacity is the ability to keep going when you feel like giving up.  You'll need it often in life, particularly in hard times.

Resilience is a little different.  It's the ability to bounce back when you've had a failure or you've been put down by a circumstance or by other people.

This is my niece Dayna *without glasses* and her bestie Ashley taken before Bible study.   We have it at the lake marina....it is so peaceful once it cools off we can have it outside.

This is my friend Tammy we go to church together, praise God she started going to Bible study with me this past week, she loved it and is looking forward to coming back

This week I will get someone to take a pic of my Sis n law, me and my niece,  and will try to get a group pic