Psalm 139:13-14   For You formed my inward parts, You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Jeremiah 1:5   “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you: Before you were born I sanctified you: I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:11   For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper and not to harm you.

                                                                       

God everything, so many things.  And then there are many different variations under the umbrella of one species.  Like the above pictures, all dogs, but different breeds….

There are many, many different kinds of fish—some have white meat, some have pink, some are very fishy tasting while others are rarely eaten by humans for a variety of different reasons.

Of course, it’s not just fish, but rodents, mammals, flowers, and so much more.

And then, there are human beings. We are created to be most closely like God. We were created in His image.  And, yet we are each uniquely made. There are many different cultures, beliefs and thoughts, and experiences. All of which make us unique and distinct. Yet we are all in the under the same umbrella of species. Homo sapiens.  And Eastern European, Irish, Black, Indians and so many more. Because He made us with similarities, but each unique. 

Children within a family are each obviously different, even while sharing the same parents. The different arrangement of DNA, the way same situations may be seen and processed and finally interpreted. It’s incredible to look at the similarities, and yet see the poignant differences in all.

Although I have many bulbs in my gardens, each year when they bloom, there is a difference in their appearance. I find it amazing and am so humbled by the miracle of it all. I am sure there are many factors which add to these changes—the weather….how hot was it the previous summer, how cold was the winter, were critters trying to nibble at the bulb, was it watered enough, is it in the right type of soil? And obviously there are many other factors that might weigh in to how the blooms appear and differ each year. But you cannot take God’s creative artistry out of the mix. He is the grand creator.

He causes the plants to rise and fill their green leaves with nourishment from the sun and the water, and then the blooms to unfold and deliver their beauty. The color may be the slightest bit deeper in the center, the combination of colors mixed together might be different, richer, more vibrant. And of course, my own interpretation may be different as well. If not burdened by stress, I see the vibrant beauty more readily than if some worry has caused me to see less of His artistry.

I feel so blessed seeing and appreciating the splendor around me.  So much the same species, and yet differences within. How incredible is that?

Because I see confused frowns from others when I point out something from nature which has struck me, I know many don’t take the time to see and feel the beauty around them. It makes me a little sad for them. I am thankful to have eyes to see and behold; ears to hear the singing of birds and chatter of squirrels and all the other sounds I perceive; and for the time to enjoy and appreciate different things created.

It’s an important aspect of ‘mybellaviews’ that I enjoy so much– views of beauty, sounds in the world, and all….

Thank You for the blessings of beauty all around ‘mybellaviews.’

 

Psalm 68:20  Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, not sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night.

Acts 4:12   “Nor is the salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…

I love to walk, and find when I walk alone, I pray and chit-chat with God. Often, I notice some of the blessings—birds, flowers, or some other blessings He’s put in my path. Other times, I am honed in on a particular worry or concern, or am praying for a need for a family member or friend. Some needs are long term and require keeping the needs in my prayers for a long while; others seem to be answered quickly. Sometimes, His help may require an alteration in the prayer since circumstances may have changed– now there is a loss and the person needs comfort dealing with the sadness associated with it, or something else alters the circumstance.

But I find I walk more as I commune with my Father and I believe God answers prayers. I tend to listen better when I am away from distractions, and enjoying Him and the blessings around me.

There are times it takes longer for some prayers to be answered than others. Sometimes, I wonder if God is ignoring a plea or His timing is just not my timing; or perhaps my prayer is not to be answered according to my will, but as He wills it. When He deems it is right, the prayer will be answered.

It seems I have a bit more patience when I am waiting for a personal answer than when I am waiting for an answer for someone else.  I guess because I have realized how selfish I can be, and strive to not be, and also I have learned God does not work on my timeframe. (I’ve also prayed for an increase in my patience…and it seems He has given me a modicum more!)

But when I am concerned for someone else, my old sinful nature of impatience surges forth, and I want the prayer answered now. I realize this is because I harbor an uneasiness that they will not accept God’s invitation to accept He alone is God and He sent His Son to be our sole salvation. I do not want to think of those I care about not acknowledging His sovereignty and spending eternity is the lake of fire. I know where I will spend eternity, but certainly I want that safety for the people in my life who I love. They are all good people with large and loving hearts. But their salvation is not guaranteed because they are good, generous, loving people. Yet there are some who don’t believe and think my belief is not totally founded. Ok, we can sputter about verses, and so often…but as of now, there remains an unbelief. That burdens my mind, and I pray for their salvation continually.

Regardless, I appreciate my time spent with Him, whether walking or studying the word. I feel better having regular prayer time, reading His word and peeling back the layers and how they apply to me. It is amazing to see how a verse I’ve read repeatedly, sometimes seems as though it was just added to His word.  Suddenly, to my mind as it is specifically applying to my life and faults at THAT time. It brings me peace and comfort, and reminds me to slow…go with the flow…and wait for His perfect timing. Patience leads to peace, and I find great comfort in that peace.

God, thank you for reminding me it is best to wait on your perfect time for all ‘mybe

Song of Solomon 2:11,12    For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell.

There are some flowers and shrubs, albeit not many, that I just don’t like the smell of.  I know most people love the smell of gardenias, but for me it is just too strong and cloying, causes a headache within seconds; but I love the flowers budding and bursting forth.

I also love the camellias which bloom in winter with their vibrant colors of fuchsia and red, which are my favorites.  There are so many varieties of exquisite flowers.   Have you looked at a hibiscus bush?  There are so many gorgeous shades of reds, pinks, yellows, white, and when I spot a variety which has a different colored throat, I feel so blessed with the beauty He’s created.  How lovely.  My favorite is the peach with red throat, and I am sure it has a specific scientific name, but I call it sunset since it reminds me of a gorgeous one.

                                                                                                            

My neighbor has a bush bursting with this colorful blossom and since I love it so, thought I would share it with you all. 

                                                                                                                 

My irises are bursting forth; as are geraniums, coreopsis, violas, and African daisies. I even have some amaryllis dancing in full blossom.  So today, since I am so touched by the flowers and colors of this glorious day, I thought I’d share some photos from my gardens and a couple of my neighbors.   Think we’re in competition?  We aren’t really.  We just go to one another’s and admire the handiwork that we place in the ground and the good Lord allows to pop up and bring forth a colorful view! 

                                                                                   

Enjoy some of my bellaviews.  Blessings!

 

Genesis 2:8  God planted  garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.

www.gardeningknowhow.com  ‘By definition, a weed is known as “a plant in the wrong place.” For the most part, these plants are known more for their undesirable ulaities tather than for their good ones.’

I love gardening, which should be quite odd. I remember as a teen of maybe 18 years old, taking a test to show my interests and strengths to pursue for work and hobbies. At the time, I thought gardening was such a waste of time. I had watched my mother and grandmother nurture their gardens, not recognized any satisfaction in it, as it seemed a huge waste of time since weeds would sprout back up soon. Yet those two special women enjoyed it.

However, when my test came back with a strong inclination to garden, I was pretty sure it was some rigged test. Yes, it said I also had a strong draw to nursing, books, religious studies also. (And those of you who know me personally can attest to all those interests). But really, gardening?

Yet now, I love the hobby. I only have a modicum of knowledge, but I enjoy playing in the dirt, arranging colors, and doing my best, although limited ability, to nurture them along. I so appreciate the many and various things gardening offers me. There’s a satisfaction that my garden looks pretty with the many varieties and colors, and I am so thankful to God that I have the ability to see the flowers, how they grow and thrive, (or fail, yet the ability to read and research to see what they might need. The work may at times be strenuous and tiring, but the satisfaction, and the pleasure of the solitude of planting, weeding and feeling the blessings God gives me via the garden, is wonderful. Certainly, I appreciate when a passerby comments on my garden, and although I thank them for the comment, I then thank Him. He’s the master gardener.

Now, gardening is a restful hobby to me. Yes, I can work hard planting, pulling, cutting, throwing away that which needs to go. But it is so rewarding when I have it finished. My body may be tired, but the gardens look clean, the flowers seem to stand a trifle taller, and seem able to take fuller breaths. And the next morning, anything left a little stunned by the human contact the day before, has resettled and has decided to grow.

And I think that is what God does with us. He plants His word, He weeds our flaws, picks off dead blossoms, fertilizes as needed, and keeps a watchful eye on our growth and blossoming. How cool is that. Our God is the ultimate gardener, and He is tending us!!  Pluck my weeds, remove my dead flowers, fertilize and water me with the living water.

So although I fought and did not believe I had a gardening bone in my body, God designed me to appreciate the act and the beauty of gardening. It’s one of the blessings I have. There’s a real satisfaction in working hard in the yard, but I gain a lot of gratification, fulfillment, and beauty from it. Thank You, God for knowing me better than I could ever know me, and giving me such hobbies to work at and enjoy.     

                                                                                                                       

 

Gardening gives a lot to mybellaviews.

John 15:13   “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

1 John 3:16   By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

 

and EDIT REVIEW

 

 

 

                                                                                                                          

There are so many worrisome and hurtful things being put out in the news media lately. Many of our police are being slaughtered doing their jobs. A job is not a place where you should be afraid to report. It should be a place where you are able to do your assigned duties, honestly earn your wages for the time you put—an honest give and take—You give your skills, knowledge and abilities, and take the pay you have been assigned to for those duties. There should not be this fearfulness to go to work each day.

What a dreadful time it seems we live in. So many have assault weapons—which NO ONE should have unless they are military or police, but no civilians should have such weapons. And how is it there is no respect for life? I believe it revolves around the evil that is in the world since many are not actively seeking God’s presence in their life, and striving to be more Christ-like in their daily dealings. It matters.

Evil does not care for anything other than destruction of persons, people, cultures, and the world. This is Satan’s business to “lie, kill, maim and destroy.”  He encourages all manner of not showing love and respect for others, and believing in your own entitlement in disregard for ANY others has led to our present state of destroying each other, others, and our sense of peace.

I am blessed to know God, and know that Satan lies, and tries to hurt all.  I am able to see the blessings God has put before us—many different birds, mammals, and flowers and then there are the persons who are kind, pleasant, and loving. I pray for our country and our world that we seek God, and end Satan’s madness. The Book is written, and Satan loses.  We need to stop and see the blessings and decide we choose to be a blessing to others. Jesus’ way and manner of living wins—Satan loses the battle.

Thank you for the blessings I recognize throughout “mybellaviews.”

 

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