Fragmentary Blue

Fragmentary Blue

Robert Frost

Why make so much of fragmentary blue

In here and there a bird or butterfly,

Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,

When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

Since earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)

Though some savants make earth include the sky;

And blue so far above us comes so high,

It only gives our wish for blue a whet.

'Fragmentary Blue'
Photo by: Chandra Brown

NOTE: It may be easier to understand this 'fragmented' writing if you read every link. It helps give more context and definition to the post.

The Color Blue

I have to admit, I have taken the color blue for granted. I look up into the sky everyday and there it is; bold, beautiful and consistent. Oh, how I complain when the overcast day hides the color and the absence of it actually makes you feel blue.

The color has had interesting press surrounding it in the science field. Who was the first to write about it, was the color actually visible to our early ancestors and how is the color blue really perceived.

I find it interesting the Bible may have a few clues to this color mystery.  In Genesis 1:3-8 God created light and waters and divided them accordingly. These terms are heavy with meaning. The word for firmament in Hebrew is 'Raqiya' and means an expanse, the sky, the vault of heaven or to be more literal; 'an expansion of plates'.  Raqiya comes from the word 'Raqa': to pound by hammering, to overlay, to stretch a precious metal over an object like gold leaf.  Our modern term for firmament is the atmosphere. We know that there are at least five layers with varying attributes and qualities that protect the earth and mankind. These layers surround the earth like precious overlaid plates and light interacts through these layers and exposes the light spectrum. 

When God created the firmament, the earth was in its' perfect form. The original canopy structure in the firmament helped protect the earth and mankind in ways modern science has a hard time understanding. The atmosphere was different than what we know it today. When sin entered the world that atmosphere was in for a change (not immediately but in the future of God's plan). The law of entropy took effect after the fall and man was appointed to physical death and although the death process took longer in the time of Adam, the process is indeed put in motion towards that consequence throughout all the ages.  

The world thrown into chaos caused evil to abound and approximately 1600 years after Adam sinned, God sent His judgment through the form of a flood. The flood started and ended by the opening and closing of the 'windows of heaven' and bursting up from the depths of the earth. Genesis 8:2. 

God promised Noah that he will never destroy mankind with a flood again by setting His 'bow in the cloud' as a reminder. (Genesis 9:12-13.) This is important as we all know rainbows refract, disperse and reflect light so colors can be seen.

This may not seem significant to the water, light phenomenon in our atmosphere but the fact Noah got a little tipsy after drinking wine from his vineyard is most likely an indication of the atmospheric change. Some scholars note that the wine may have fermented in a different manner than before the flood causing the alcohol content to be concentrated. I also wonder if altitude may have had an effect. I'm not sure how close to Mount Ararat that vineyard was but living on top of a mountain is different than building an Ark on flat land. Genesis 7:17-20, 8:4. Or maybe he did just over drink, look at his life; to be the only one found righteous, dad to a total Ham for a son (Pun intended), building an ark bigger than the titanic, becoming a zoo-keeper, sailor and husband-man, I think the man deserves a little slack. With the job change alone and waiting for that delicious wine to be ready, I'm sure he deserved a little happy time, and he just over did it. Ha! (Now that is not biblical, just ol' me).

It also seems rain was not in the forecast before Noah's time. God had a different method in place. Genesis 2: 5-6.

Establishing a shift in the atmosphere post flood also can be found in the fact man's lifespan changed from pre-flood times. Before God meted out His judgment he stated man's days would be 120 years. Genesis 6:3. A consequence for the evil they took part in (Genesis 6:2,4). 

God's divine law, changed the physical laws on earth through a catastrophic event. I can see God's grace even in this destruction. (Ahem, another reason we need not fear the refining of the earth by fire (judgment of the wicked) in the future. II Peter 3:10. The earth is eternal)

Warning: the following is total theory but a question that should be discussed in my opinion: With the above information it makes me wonder if Noah and his family were the first humans to see the color blue. The atmosphere changed, I deduce the oxygen component may have been tweaked and a 'plate' in the firmament peeled away to expose blue sky. The rainbow was the cherry on top, with the color spectrum vibrantly seen for the first time as well. 

Colors, especially blue, are God's gift to his creation. 

Questions and Thoughts to ponder within the scope of this post:

1. If God's divine law changes the physical laws in the Flood. What will be in store according to Physics for the time of the Tribulation and Millennium? 

2. God has given scientific knowledge to man throughout time. Study Copernicus, Newton, James Maxwell, Einstein and see the hand of God progressing the Laws of His Universe throughout time. It should excite us to see what lays in store for our future. Think about how the Laws of physics where 'broken' when Jesus 'appears' after his resurrection (before His ascension). John 20:19. And as a Christian, we receive a new body, just like Christ's when we go to be with Him.  Philippians 3:20-21.

3. If you've done enough research, you should know global warming is not scientifically supported but IF the earth does warm I would think it is in God's plan and there is not too much to worry about. Noah adjusted to the changes after the flood and lived because God's grace was sufficient. We can adjust to any changes in our time too as God's promise holds firm for His creation as well as His people. I'm not sure how God will accomplish this in the future but Revelations 21:1 speaks of, 'no more sea' on the earth (seas as we understand them anyway, water will be here a river runs out of Jerusalem.)  Hmmm! Maybe IF global warming does occur this is the result. I know, that was a stretch but I hope you're laughing! (Rev. 21:1 is at the end of the Millenial period and into Eternity).  Note: The book of Revelation is figurative and literal in many of its' passages. With many of the figurative portions explaining what the literal is. Rev. 21:1 is literal.

4. Think about all the scientific avenues for industry and health the light spectrum has shown us.

5. Even in God's Judgment He shows Grace!

Further Reading:

History and Science Behind the Color Blue

Did It Rain Before the Flood?

What are the Primary Colors?

Why Does the Ocean Appear Blue?

AMAZING BIBLE said it BEFORE Science discovered it.

Romans 8: 18-22

Dedicated to Ken Brown, he thought Noah may have been the first man to see blue skies!

The Bigger Picture

It is a common occurrence to have TV shows, books and movies recommended to you. As a Christian having these things recommended to you is difficult because we live our life under a different filter than the world. Over time, various mythologies, fantasy and sci-fi genre's have succumbed to all types of spiritual fault. The popularity of this content causes us to come face to face with it everyday since it is the norm of our culture.

When this content is recommended to you, you find yourself conflicted. Should I expose my self to it at all, how much exposure should I allow? When does spending time and money on the content become a sinful act?

You also find yourself hesitant to explain to your friends why you shouldn't invest yourself in these avenues. It's almost like reading invisible ink, we have the black light in order to understand the full picture, while our friends don't.

Your friends enthusiasm may feel threatening to you because you can't reciprocate the feeling. The spiritual gap between you and your friend is magnified.

STRANGER THINGS

My friend told me he was watching a new series, Stranger Things, a popular Netflix Original. My initial thought was, "DON'T!" The reason behind this reaction was because this content is not safe for anyone especially non-believers. Then my friend recommended it to me, when I was first informed of his interest in the show my perception of the conversation was changed. Rather than a recommendation it translated to a blunt statement of, "I'm going to make a bad decision!" Followed by, "Now you should make the bad decision too, because its amazing!" Though it is not intended, it may feel like your friends are boasting their spiritual desensitization.

 I did consider watching it before he recommended it to me because it was so popular. After he said to watch it, I did some research on it and expected to run into some folly on account of the genre. After researching the content, we made the decision to give it a try. As we progressed through the episodes it became more and more clear to us that our expectations had been exceeded.

First, we thought the writing and dynamic cast of characters were captivating.  The return to the eighties was refreshing. As the story drew us in we couldn't help but notice red flags start to pop up in the scenes or in the dialogue. We understood they needed to set the stage and introduce us to the subject matter but by episode three, my mom in particular, kept saying this story has a lot more to it. So we kept watching, straight to the end of the season. It provided us with much to think about, like why didn't we end our viewing at episode 3 when the content became more blatantly deprived? To be honest, the story was well written and we were sucked in.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In the Show, the boys talk about 'the upside down' a dimension we can't see but is there. The fact is there is a spiritual realm. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the dark world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." -Ephesians 6:12.

They introduce a game, Dungeons and Dragons as a way to communicate and explain what is happening in order to help save the boy trapped in the dimension. The heroine is a girl who has telekinetic abilities from an experimental facility, ran by the government. The episodes and characters are encompassed by occult symbolism in just about every scene. James 3:15 says this 'wisdom' is earthly, nonspiritual and demonic.

This show is labeled under the sci-fi, fantasy category but introduces very real, dangerous concepts to the 10-12 year old age group. A trap for those who do not understand spiritual concepts and a dulling agent for those who are spiritually aware. ( I Corinthians 2:14, 3:1).

The bigger picture is this, if you are an unbeliever, this type of subject matter will just sink you further into lies, deception and spiritual darkness. If you are a believer, it should agitate you, you should feel the prickly hairs on the back of your neck, you should reject it and not let it dull your conscience.

This material is a warning to a believer. When you walk with God in obedience, your conscience grows stronger, when you reject His direction and ways, your conscience gets weaker. So next time a book or a movie is recommended, vet it and ask, is this really good for me spiritually? We wish we would have turned the tube off at episode 1 and never moved forward, this post is our way to repent and inform others. Let us take every thought captive to Christ -2 Corinthians 10:5.

A great test of conscience is to go look on those book store or book case shelves or Netflix shows and see how much of it is oriented to these themes. Then ask yourself the question, how much does this bother me? As a christian it should bother you intensely, as God hates these practises. Duet. 18:10, Gal 5:19-21. I Samuel 15:23-. We should resist the all too crafty persuasion used in peer pressure that, 'everyone is watching it' and to not be a 'prude'. As a Christian are we to be set apart or follow the world's ways? (Romans 12:2)

Ephesians 6:13 says to stand against this evil. The only way we can do that is by verse 14, putting on Godliness (saying no) and using the sword of the Spirit (His word) which we chose to do throughout this post. I pray now as verse 18 says to do, that we may be alert on all occasions.

If you are a parent, please think deeply on the content your child is surrounded with and protect, educate and pray for them as they traverse their way through the world. Life's too short to spend time wasted on content that doesn't benefit you.

As Christians we have the bigger Picture, the following analogy may help you when you are tempted to recommend or view content that contains spiritual flaws which wear away instead of uplift. Our friends, family and children should mean more to us than entertaining the flesh. The truth told is always best.

Imagine you are walking on a narrow cliff (following God) if you walk too far to the right or left you will fall but if you follow the path straight forward you will not stumble. As you walk, you see other people hanging off of the cliff, you are unable to reach out a hand but God reaches his hand out to everyone, Some choose to take it, others blinded by their ignorance, will remain hanging on to the cliffs edge. You may stumble but if you hold on to God you will not fall. Mathew 7:14.

Further Reading:
Articles have been written stating this show has Christian themes. On the contrary, Read this linked article for the truth.

NOTE: Alex and I wrote this post together. Hence, the 'I' and 'we' grammatical format. We now this isn't technically correct to do, but we did it regardless.

We leave this post with this encouraging verse:
 "Think on these things, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, THINK ON THESE THINGS." Philippians 4:8.

God's Garden

God's Garden 

Robert Frost

God made a beauteous garden

with lovely flowers strewn,

But one straight, narrow pathway

That was not overgrown.

And to this beauteous garden

He brought mankind to live,

And said: "To you, my children,

These lovely flowers I give.

Prune ye my vines and fig tress,

With care my flowerets tend,

But keep the pathway open,

Your home is at the end."

Then came another master,

Who did not love mankind,

And planted on the pathway

Gold flowers for them to find.

And mankind saw the bright flowers,

That, glitt'ring in the sun,

Quite hid the throne of av'rice,

And far off many wandered,

And the life's night came on,

They still were seeking gold flowers,

Lost, helpless and alone.

O, cease to heed the glamour

That blinds your foolish eyes,

Look upward to the glitter

Of stars in God's clear skies.

Their ways are pure and harmless

And will not lead astray,

But aid your erring footsteps

To keep the narrow way.

And when the sun shines brightly

Tend flowers that God has given

And keep the pathway open

That leads you on to heaven.

 Photos by Chandra Brown taken on a Spring hike at Mary Moore Searight Trail, Austin, TX.

Melange

The Lord has had me keep silent about a few subjects He wanted me to learn through an exercise up until now.  A while back He told me to go to a church here in Austin.  This is outside of the norm for me as I have been 'unchurched' for close to eighteen years. I have sloughed off a lot of wrong teaching and gained a real relationship with Jesus during those eighteen years outside of traditional, western civilized church. It certainly was a humbling experience stepping back into an institutional model.

There were many reasons He had me do this. He wanted to keep my heart in check, as it becomes easy to fall into not loving people or seeing people as Jesus sees people, living in a somewhat isolated environment. He definitely showed me God's amazing love for us as His imperfect sheep. There are many types of people within the church, babies, maturing, elders, maybe even a few non-believers too. All at different stages of walking with God, all in need of Him, all with problems even under grace. (non-believers do not 'walk' with God).

He had me read the Psalms of Asaph an appointed poet and musician who's job it was to lead the tabernacle choir and apply this as I listened to the praise songs at the local church with the understanding that those people were using their gifts to honor God. Although we may sing praises collectively in a group setting, worship is an individual exercise that comes from the heart and can only be judged by God.  David even wrote a few songs for Asaph to teach the congregation. This is encouragement and a beautiful way to give thanks.

Living in my 'isolation' has caused me to want fellowship to the point I went back to an institution fraught with error and problems.  I do not regret my 'isolation' though, as it has shown me what is biblical truth and truly how to rely on Jesus sans any religious distractions ( I am STILL learning, no claim to have arrived here). I also see many errors  that make me want to flee back to isolation because I fear those errors won't change, it costs the bottom line too much. I do believe the next step is to try for a home study group with those few people who only want Jesus.

Church Institutions are run by men with business model mindsets, that answer to boards. Growing the model is a goal and when this happens, it set's up an open door for apostasy. Of course no one wants to be that church but little by little the world creeps in and the institution is fraught with pragmatism and relativism under the guise of kindness and objectivity. Reformed Theology and liberalism take the place of sound doctrine because the business model must perform. This is not a New Testament model. Placating to culture and social issues leads down the path to wishy- washy doctrine instead of contextually arrived biblical truth. These pitfalls will always lead astray even with good intentions at heart. And the truth is always so much better than succumbing to the worlds option. Why don't we hold to it?

Deluxe Mixed Nuts

A Reality

I know that there is no perfect church. The church is made up of imperfect people. The question comes down to how much should one be willing to put up with concerning error within the group of people you fellowship with?

That is a question only you and God can work out.

Jesus hit error between the eyes with truth especially when up against the religious institutions of his day (Pharisees and Sadducees) Matthew 23. He dusted his feet off and left the towns that wouldn't listen. He was also very patient with the disciples as they learned truth, and very kind to the worldly and people who didn't have a clue. Mark 2:17.

One thing that is certain, Jesus came for the sick. There is sickness in the church and in the world, both of which are made up of imperfect people.

The tragedy comes when sick church people hold onto the world (through the form of religious control or thought), lead those coming out of the world not away from the world but right back into it but in a different form through wrong teaching or cause those church goers who want the truth to stumble in error.

My question to the western Church. What is one of the main themes of the letters in the New Testament about? I'll answer that, CORRECTION!

If your church is not following sound doctrine and is presented with sound doctrine and doesn't repent. This is a clue to RUN!

As a follower of Christ I have learned that being imperfect is a lifelong problem. Making mistakes, getting things wrong is inevitable. If you are teachable, correctable and repent of wrong thinking as the Holy Spirit reveals error to you in your walk, you will run the race with success. If you choose to keep the blinders on, hold on to the world's philosophies, not let go of thinking that isn't truly biblical you are Spiritual toast!

When things get down to the nitty gritty, God won't ask about the men you followed, the church you served at, the question will be, Do you know Jesus? Not know of him or about Him or read about him but actually know His voice and who He is.
Question: If you first say I am a Calvinsit, or Protestant or Catholic.... STOP! and think long and hard on that statement.
Shouldn't it be I am a Jesus follower? (John 14:6)

In this wide world of distraction, deception and down right rebellion we need the whole truth metted in the pulpit without reserve or apology. Who cares if you are labeled a dogmatist... Whose ways are you teaching? If it's God's you are just the messenger, the message is His and always has been. As His followers we should adopt His ways into our own even at the cost of being labeled negatively. If you are a true follower and have been labeled a dogmatist, you may just have to count that as a blessing. (Of course, if you speak the truth with pride and arrogance that is the only time you deserve the negative label.)

NOTE:
I chose the French word Melange for this post because it's root meaning is; to mix. It also means; to meddle, Also; a group of different things or people.

We are to mix in the world with believer and non believer but not take on their ways. The church has allowed a mixing of philosophies that are not biblical within their teachings.  The bible cuts through the mix and defines truth, it brings about the purity the world lacks. IF WE LET IT!
Let's not let the world meddle with the sound doctrine of the Bible!

Also, Men are set-up in this world by God to help the church through sound teaching, if you find a good one you are blessed. Always remember, take all things under the scrutiny of Christ and let the Holy Spirit be the final answer.

EXAMPLE: Part of a discussion- A subtle error of mixing religious thought in a church.

"I see so many of these denominations take the Word out of context thus why they are their own 'religious' sect. This is the set-up for ecumenical, universal thinking. Man trying to agree on tradition or strict doctrine yet trying to hold onto their manmade ideas in their religion. WE ALL DO IT, though. So easy to get sucked into these things. I've learned if we can't slough off the dross of SELF we will fall into ritual for the sake of 'feeling' close to God. The very name of these sects point to a MAN or a tradition from a culture when the very crux of truth is only found in one God/Man, Jesus. Ritual and tradition takes precedence over Principle. I found an example of this recently, a protestant church talks about should a christian practice lent (catholic tradition, protestants take part in too). They surmised lent is really about the 40 days leading up to Christ's Death, burial and resurrection. and represents a giving up of something as a reminder of what He's done for us. Not a bad thing to look upon but I know that God works with us individually. If Jesus isn't specifically telling me to give something up, the lent practice just turns into a dead work. What I know is Jesus doesn't work within tradition 'boxes'. He never did while He was here on Earth. Broke the molds on every front. While denominations can agree on doctrine, the intimate dynamic of relationship with God get's lost all to quickly. It is such a fine line... (If one does a DEEP study into these sects, you will find ERROR and MAN ideas that have been perpetuated OVER what JESUS requires.) Religious sects bring division while JESUS makes a person whole. OK, I know I've opened a can of worms... but love the discussion."

FOR STUDY:

Ecumenicalism/ Universalism

Contemplative Spirituality

German Relativism

Prayer Circles/Labrynths

Neo-Calvinism

Calvinism mixing with Roman Monastism

Kingdom Now- Dominion Theology

JESUS- RED LETTERS (Your Bible under the direction of the Holy Spirit)

If you see your church involved in anything above (except the red letters), Your church is allowing the world's philosophies in.

Luke 12:51

Interesting video that helps keep perspective in reality.

A great article: Who are the elect and why?

What I Am Not

It is now time I clarify why I write my blog.

It is a personal diary of the things I learn and/ or experience, written in a creative writing manner that tells only a percentage of what really goes on. The world wide web need not know every detail of my life but I do want to be able to look back and be reminded of God's work, or the funny (downright corny, sometimes) interesting or beautiful things I experience that may not have anything to do with my walk with the Lord. I want to write this for my own personal outlet and for a book of remembrance for myself and my family.  Something I can leave behind when I pass away.

I see a trend in the world where people write blogs (or books), gain a following and before you know it the message is misconstrued to the point of no return or the person is idolized (even worse). Readers place their own ideas into the writing because applying context is a lost skill. I even have people who know me (or should know me better) not fully understand me and take the things I say incorrectly or do not take the time to question and find out what I mean. 

My Pride and Joy

The Love Of My Life

So I will be blunt and state what I am not:

1.   A mystic

2.   An attention seeker

3.   A guru

4.   A feminist

5.   A theologian (although I enjoy the topic and do have firm standards on the subject)

6.   Even a good writer

7.   A teacher (although I am to an extent) HA HA!

8.   A mentor (except to my daughter, as I know the responsibility God has given me)

9.   A spiritual guide

10. An Expert

I am:

1.   A hobby writer

2.   A mom

3.   An observer

4.   A wife

5.   A woman

6.   A True Follower of Christ ( IMPERFECTIONS, MISTAKES, FLAWS and all!)

7.   A daughter

8.   A lover of beautiful things

9.   A brain user (he he! My words for thinker)

10. A friend 

If you read my blog. I hope you come away wanting to know Jesus more. If you don't I have failed in that endeavor and I'd rather burn this content than have anyone take away another message. 

Jesus is ALL to me and nothing else is of greater importance!

Read this article on what is happening in churches these days. Automatic writing... WHAT?!?! I swear the world is going to hell in a hand basket....

Tend Your Garden: Post #9

Every February I survey our landscape as we are coming out of Winter and enter into Spring. The lawn is still dormant, the garden beds need mulch replenishing, those pesky green weeds are thriving in every nook and corner.  The buds on the crepe myrtle are early, the old, tired, diseased Ornamental Peach tree needs to be taken down. An entire bed needs to be reworked, plants renewed or moved because the landscape has changed over the past 2 years with maintenance of the plants and trees. The Brown Oasis has had its' seasons. I am in awe at how the area changes as plants reach their peak and die or overgrowth needs control or removing a tree causes other plants to suffer and if they don't move they die.

So, every March I get out my trusty 5 gallon bucket, weeding tool, thatching rake and lawn bags and methodically get to work taking care of the little plot of land God has blessed our family with. These are the small things I do to just keep the scape maintained. I know I have some bigger monsters to tackle in order to keep the scape healthy or beautiful. It's always a work in progress.  I enjoy this time because I use it to pour my heart out to God, there are no distractions. Well, maybe my dog shaking the bushes or the squirrels running along the fence to tease the dog or the birds singing to each other back and forth cause me to sit a little too long observing.  No, those aren't really distractions, they just enhance my time with God.

Orchid
By Alex and Chandra Brown

Recently, in my walk with Jesus there has been great testing. I have come to accept it as His loving tools in the changing, shaping and molding of my heart. He's required I do things, say things, be silent, take action, not take action. I truly feel like I have entered God's boot camp and the Holy Spirit is the drill master. He's training me for the future. I know not what that entails but if the training is a glimpse it makes me wonder what is in store. I literally have had to obey His command down to the last detail.  Like walking the tight rope. You don't pay close attention, you may slip. Although God has confirmed I am His and He won't let that happen as long as I stay in Him.

I find it interesting some of the training involves casting down any thought that is not from Him.  (2 Corinthians 10:5) Stuff you know because He's shown you, but now the ante is upped and the testing is coming from the outside. Kind of like a target course. A book pops up from an acquaintance with questionable content (I John 4:5). Spend time on it or Shoot it down. Shoot it down! A topic of conversation. I could stay quiet or I could speak the truth. Speak the truth.  Listening to speakers in varied positions of authority and hearing discrepancies. Should I stay silent, other time bring up the idiosyncrasy, run past it or spend time on it. Sometimes the training requires both, it takes discernment to know when to do which.  Requiring you to scuttle something at His command, knowing it may be a total loss but you must do it anyway. Do I trust and act or question and fail? No, I DID it, almighty Lord I did it and am willing to bare the consequences regardless of outcome. My commander ordered it! (I John 2:20)

Let's just say, the boot camp is tiring. I need some real R&R. Where's my leave? I hope I come out on the other end the individual useful for Your service and not a wash out.  At least you aren't like R. Lee Ermy, your commands are forceful but gentle. Ha, I hope soon I can look back and truly believe this Ermy quote, "It's been a pretty fun ride to tell the truth."

So, how does my military talk fit in with a gardening post?  In order to make a military unit function properly, it takes wearing down the will to an utterly subjected position so you'll trust your commander implicitly. Shifty Powers from Band of Brothers embodies this picture perfectly. He's a good study, I won't go into what he did here but I urge you to look him up. In gardening; laying waste to a land helps cause new growth in the future. At first it is harsh, brutal, looks like war and heavy bombing hit the place. Scorched earth has it's connotative meaning for a reason. Sometimes you cut things back, remove items entirely, burn those dead leaves, hack at left over tree stumps and your landscape looks like hell but there is purpose in all of that which leads to a plan for something better. The key is to keep to the plan and never quit. I will plan to remove the diseased tree, move the plants that can't make it now that the tree is gone and re-work that area into a beautiful new project for our benefit.

I know that God is doing a good work with in me and the Victory will be His and something I can rejoice in as the things He requires will benefit me and hopefully others.

I leave with a quote from ol' Shifty-

"Dig your foxholes deep
Keep your head down
And make damn sure you rifle doesn't jam!"

Shifty

Powers, Age 81, Words to a Young Soldier

NOTE: Of course I chose a delicate orchid as my inspiration for this post. With all this battle talk a woman needs something soft and pretty!