Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

The First Rose Of Summer

By Lorraine

It excites me to see the very first rose buds appear each spring knowing they will soon bust forth into beautiful blossoms with sweet fragrance. This is a hybrid tea rose called Broadway with shades of pink, yellow and peach. It has been in our garden since 2012.
Growing alongside purple spiderwort. 
Pink Knockout Roses are just beginning to bloom too.
 The First Rose Of Summer
‘Tis the first rose of summer that opes to my view,
With its bright crimson bosom all bathed in the dew;
It bows to its green leaves with pride from its throne–
‘Tis the queen of the valley, and reigneth alone.
Oh! why, lovely stranger! thus early in bloom,
Art thou here to assure us that summer is come?
The primrose and harebell appear with the spring,
But tidings of summer the young roses bring.
Thou fair gift of nature (I welcome the boon),
Was ‘t the lark of the morning that ‘woke thee so soon?
Yet I weep, thou sweet floweret! for soon, from the sky,
The lark shall repose where thy leaves wither’d lie.
Oh! if beauty could save thee, thou ne’er wouldst decay,
But, alas! soon thou ‘lt perish and wither away;
And thy kindred may blossom, and blossom as fair–
Yet I ‘ll mourn, lonely rosebud! when thou art not there. 
Robert Gilfillan (1798-1850 / Scotland)

Think on These Things Sunday

By Lorraine

~ Wishing you a BEAUTIFUL Sunday~
{flowers growing along the branches of our Eastern Redbud tree}

Most of Saturday was spent outside doing yard clean-up. The weather was perfect! John and I got much accomplished but still have lots to do.We have two Eastern Redbud trees in the front yard in bloom. 

Our helper overseeing our progress, who barked whenever we moved out of his sight! He was happy as long as he could see one of us 🙂
{on this tree, you can see the flowers growing up along the branches}

We fix our eyes

By Lorraine

For we walk by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7

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.
1 Corinthians 13:12

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
Romans 8:24

just suppose

By Lorraine

I heard this poem while listening to Alistair Begg and thought it a great reminder to myself to be careful about my words.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Morning Sky

By Lorraine

At this time of year, if I look out the window toward the eastern sky a few minutes after 7 o’clock am, I often see the most amazing sunrises. This photo was taken from my front porch on the 19th of this month. I am usually in the kitchen at the back of the house each morning and will notice a bright reflection from the back windows of our neighbors house.  It is a reflection of a gorgeous sunrise.  Grabbing my camera I run to the front of our house and stand in awe for a few minutes as the colors change right before my eyes.
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8

Autumn

By Lorraine

During a recent early morning, golden sunrise flooded the porch.
Autumn has arrived in all of its splendor.
The Mighty One, God, the LORD, has spoken, and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone forth
Psalm 50:1-2

 And look who had to poke his nose out the door to see what was going on!
all looks good to him
Raider

counting my blessings

By Lorraine

 Since we don’t see these precious grands as often as our others, photos from Jill are greatly appreciated!
These were taken just as the kids were heading back to school.
Perfect weather, and a very dear friend visiting from Texas made for an extra special outside brunch to celebrate birthdays.
An Autumn Carnival was the theme for Grandparents Day at Keri and Noah’s school.
The weather was perfect for a full morning of activities with both sets of grandparents loving these two kiddos.
and a reminder why I really blog…
John called my attention recently to the kids at the computer.  I was so surprised to see them having fun perusing my blog and laughing at posts that include them. When they scroll to the bottom of each page they see the list of labels I add to each post making it easy for them to click and and go every post that is about them.
It truly warmed my heart to see this.
❤
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows
James 1:17

Before the Throne

By Lorraine

Before the Throne of God Above
words: Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God! 
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God! 
Click to listen to this beautiful hymn performed by Selah

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