May and June FMF 2025

God's encircling hand. 
'But this may well be a deficiency, and a serious one, a wall that keeps' our heart from God and living in plan B. I can do it myself plan and relegate God to the back burner with excuses like God helps those who help themselves. 
Great insight into how I live most of the time. And when we (I) recognized our(my) failures, the lamenting flows; and yet, God will bottle all our (my) tears and wrap His protective hand around us (me). He encircles us (me) with His love and protection.

Andrew, I think I can hear Sylvia growl at me too!

Circle Back Wayward Child 
Raise up a child in the ways they should go and when he is old he will not depart from it..
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. 

God's love circles around like a protective hedge. 

[The "hedge of protection" can be understood as a spiritual barrier against evil influences, a boundary of God's blessings, or a means of discipline and correction.
Psalm 121:5:
"The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand."
Psalm 23, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 34:19, Psalm 140:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, and Psalm 139:5 also speak to themes of protection, deliverance, and God's presence in times of trouble.]

Circle of Life: Seasonal Rhythms

Autumn falls silent under the evening snow 
Sheltered seeds don winter's coat below
Spring buds pop their heads, winter snaps not yet
March winds howl for spring's warmth
Worm Moon signals the nightcrawlers to rise
Daylight and darkness reach duality
Equilux achieved, permafrost relents
Sleepy pods shed winter's dark cloak
Pollinizers emit an earthy scent
Spring pollinators take flight
Sunrays titillate Terra's loam
The impetus for life circles again

June 13, Panic

Death and Dementia

Fear and darkness abide side-by-side, 
hiding the old crone of despair.

Cohorts of hatred entrench themselves 
against the light.

Incoherent thoughts rattle the brain, 
searing the heart.

Stirred agitation summons dementia.

Death grins from the abyss, 
as the human soul withers.

Yet, darkness recoils at the Light.

The old crone flees, abandoning despair.
Defeated, Death returns to the abyss.

Light enters, dispelling darkness.

Love’s glow lights the way, 
sparking hope.

Life, light, and love 
embrace the soul.

June 5, Honoring Life: 

Seasonal Rhythms

Autumn falls silent under the evening snow 
Sheltered seeds don winter's coat below
Spring buds pop their heads, winter snaps not yet
March winds howl for spring's warmth
Worm Moon signals the nightcrawlers to rise
Daylight and darkness reach duality
Equilux achieved, permafrost relents
Sleepy pods shed winter's dark cloak
Pollinizers emit an earthy scent
Spring pollinators take flight
Sunrays titillate Terra's loam
Touching life's impetus

Extra May 16, Here is a little something extra from Beholding and Becoming by Ruth Chou Simmons
1.	Rest is productive. When we don’t set the work aside, or stop making bricks, then we live as slaves rather than freed children in Christ. WE are designed to need a Savior.  Hebrews 4:9-11
2.	Being a doer is putting into action our heart posture. Our productivity and perseverance relies on true rest. We are fruitful for His glory because He is fruitful in us.  The Book of James
3.	I want God’s promises to be true for me, too.  Do I deserve what I’m entitled to- based on His Word?  Does unhappiness stem from the error of believing we deserve better, and that God is holding out on us. DISCONTENTMENT is a weed that grows through the cracks of disbelief.  If God cared, He right the wrongs against me. Even Job had all his wealth restored and children. YES, but it wasn’t the same family or friends afterwards. God chooses what is best to restore. Luke 15:25-32
4.	So much of Jesus’ ministry was done at the table: The wedding feast was the beginning; He fed the five thousand; the Lord’s supper at the end. When we get to heaven we will sit with friends, we will sit with Jesus around a banquet table. John 15:15 P. 166 
5.	Our esteem mirrors how we view God. Ways to improve our image of the Father: memorize scripture, stop condemning yourself, choose a high view of God ( His lovingkindness is everlasting), rehearse your identity. Ephesians 3:20
6.	We trust Him to save us from spiritual bankruptcy but forget that He saves us to soul abundance. John 10:10
7.	God does what he pleases to bring Himself glory (this is letting us know who HE is) while He shows His steadfast love. Ps 115:1-8
8.	Your mission field is the kitchen table. It is where communication flows freely.  Deut 6: 4-9
9.	We can be greatly shaken, it is one of life hindrances, so take it to heart. Practice makes progress, not perfection.  James Ch 1
10.	God works through daily practice. You can’t see it today, wait, the Holy Spirit will surprise you. Hebrew 12:1-2 

Take away: It is a journey with stop-outs along the way. When it is time, God will gently call you back in. You are not forgotten or forsaken. Strive to know the Lord, learn to love the menial task, let go of perfection, and rest in the Lord.