Sitting poised on the very edge of a new spring season, can be an exciting time! Birds singing, robins playing, blue skies above, hyacinths and daffodils blooming, fruit trees budding, grass greening…what more can we possibly ask for as we soon leave winter behind? We hope!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 3/17/24 –
Today we experienced snow and rain showers, sunshine, wind, and both gray and blue skies! Whew! The flowers and plants about ready to bloom in our backyard, don’t quite know what to do! Warmth and sun, rain and more rain, snow, and wind! How do they decide what to do – should we bloom? should we wait? Flowers don’t talk, I know of course; I am being silly. But if they did…we can only imagine what they would say!
Sometimes making decisions is difficult for us, too, but not just because of the weather. Unexpected circumstances or events in our lives can easily turn a relatively ‘simple’ decision into a complicated one. Unforeseen situations can send us into a whirlwind of indecision and confusion. Whatever decision you may be facing today, consider talking to a friend or a family member about it to help you sort it out; or turn it over to God. I pray it will be made clear to you soon.
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audion 3/10/24 –
Last week in February. Plenty of sunshine for everyone and a week where we experience both winter and a touch of spring! Hope you are ready for the ride!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audio 2/25/24 – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_XhQ4hpHFlr_xrpWG1vhQexpHdHFoRjT/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=65db6b2d
It is cold and windy today, but the sky is blue! Even though we have blue skies and lots of sunshine, we may be experiencing the winter blues. You know, a ‘blah’ kind of overall feeling, little motivation, being okay with cluttered space, not taking good care of yourself.
How do we move past this? We can ask God each morning to refresh our spirit. We can clean out and organize a closet or a desk. We can eat healthy – limit junk foods. We can turn our focus to someone else and do something for them. We can do something fun for ourselves without feeling guilty. We can surround ourselves with good people. Try one or two of these things and see what happens. Hopefully, the ‘blues’ will pass by.
There are certain days and dates we remember (like birthdays, wedding anniversaries, baptisms, promotions, for example) that bring us great joy. There are other days and dates we remember (like a loved one’s death, a traumatic event, a diagnosis, for example) with sadness.
Today marks 7 years since my vision loss. I recall the events of the day with a mix of both joy and sadness. The joy was being away with my husband and experiencing one of the nicest days together in almost 50 years. Sunshine, holding hands, planning the future…the sadness that covered me when only a few hours later there was a drastic change in my vision.
Much has happened in seven years. Every day presents itself differently, with a new set of obstacles and possibilities. I have learned how to adjust in living life n new ways. One day there may be a medical solution for those who experience this same type of vision loss. In the meantime, I depend on family, friends, and God’s grace. For them in my life I am grateful.
Itsy-bitsy. I am not sure why this phrase popped into my head this afternoon. What I know about this phrase is very little (no pun intended!). Itsy-bitsy spider (refers to a nursery rhyme), itsy-bitsy polka dot bikini (refers to a song on the 50’s…Where did this phrase come from? I have been unable to find out, but synonyms from the Cambridge Dictionary include: diminutive, exiguous, infinitesimal, and incy, to name a few. In simple terms, the phrase means small or tiny or minute. Well, thankfully, we have abundant sunshine and blessings today that are not itsy bitsy!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 2/4/24 –
The grass is very green right now. The weather pattern of snow, sun, rain, snow, sun, rain has left our lawn looking like a plush green blanket. Flowers – the potted geraniums are beginning to bloom again and the portulaces, and the hyacinths are saying “hello world!” Actually, the portulaces have been blooming the entire month of January. Such gifts on this grey-looking winter day!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 1/28 – Because of a computer glitch, our audio is in two parts today.
Though cold, it is sunny and bright today – especially with the sunlight reflecting off the snow.
I never knew there was such a thing as sun blindness or photokeratitis, until I read a recent article. This happens when the eyes are exposed to too much UV light. We typically do not think our eyes are sensitive just like our skin.
What is even more interesting to me, is that you do not need snow to cause snow blindness! That’s right. Snow blindness can be caused when we are at the beach (white sand), when light reflects off the water, or operating a machine or welding. I never realized.
We should always protect our eyes! Depending on what we are doing indoors or outdoors, we should always protect our eyes. One way is to wear a hat or to wear sunglasses with UV lenses. Such a good reminder!!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 1/21/24 –
Blustery – what a word. One we do not use every day.
Blustery Sky SW 9140 – that is a color of blue paint from Sherwin-Williams. I do not have a blue anything in my house, but if I did, I would likely choose this color. I like it. Blustery Sky.
Didn’t Winnie the Pooh and his friends once have a blustery windy day? A “winds-day” I think.
Today we are experiencing a blustery wind under a blue sky. The wind is howling! The blades on our windmill in the backyard are circling at warped speed. The birds are clinging to the birdfeeders, taking them on an unexpected adventure as they attempt to eat. Telephone pole and cable wires swinging in the wind, branches falling on the roof or on the roads, trash blowing down the street.
It is a beautiful sunny winter day – be cautious outdoors with the blustery wind!
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 1/14/24 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZfVVatUyQ4goRSA7bA_2J4B5_8Tg_-U/view?usp=sharing
A good winter day. A day to shovel out. A day to stay inside and be cozy. A day to go sledding or skiing or snow-tubing or build a fort. A day to lounge in front of a fire. A day to sip hot chocolate (with marshmallows) or warm apple cider and watch the falling snow. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy. Be safe. Be well.
St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio – 1.7.24 –
In plain sight 