Song Day Sunday

                                                      

It's been  a couple of weeks since I published a Song Day Sunday...

I have been sitting working on thoughts and experiences that I am going through in my own life. Not for publication, but for what can be gleaned out of  those hours,days, weeks - whatever time frame  it takes to learn to exercise  a Faith that will lead me beyond my human condition.

Sometimes the answers I seek don't come immediately. I must wait on the Lord but in the time between my requests, and the time the answers become evident it can make me uneasy. The only reason that is true is because for some reason I have to make sure everything is running smoothly.

I continue to seek resting in the Lord because he has placed all things in subjection to the Believer...

  "We Believe"

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He's given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He's comin' back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father!
We believe in Jesus Christ!
We believe in the Holy Spirit!
And He's given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He's comin' back again!

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised!
In the here and now, let love invade!
Let the church live loud our God we'll say
We believe, we believe!
And the gates of hell will not prevail!
For the power of God, has torn the veil!
Now we know Your love will never fail!
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He's given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He's comin' back,
He's comin' back again!
He's comin' back again!
We believe!
We believe 

Thought for the Day... 

   
                                             Psalm 46:10New King James Version (NKJV) 

                                                                  ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God;
                                                     I will be exalted among the nations, 

                                                     I will be exalted in the earth!

Song Day Sunday

One of the songs that became important to me as a Junior in High School was "There's Just Something About That Name" by Bill and Gloria Gaither. I had heard it on the radio prior to being asked to accompany a visiting vocalist at our small country church where I was a member at the time. I wasn't a great piano player in public, no confidence when it comes to being in front of everyone. I haven't played the piano for years now. However, one Sunday evening before Church when only a few people had begun to arrive I did find a simple version of this song in the piano bench and touched every note written. Made my heart smile.

Ah,the memories of trying to perform after only one time through with the vocalist herself. True to form I muddled to completion...I felt I did an injustice to the vocalist but to this day the words still come flowing out of my memory. A comforting memory. Music always seems to bring my thoughts back to focus.

As we enter this week - a holy week, in remembrance of the events leading up to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ I want to share this song . A song that I still hold dear to my heart...


                                               There's Something About That Name

 By William J. & Gloria Gaither

                    Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name. 
                    Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain.
                   Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim! Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, But there's something about that name.

                                                              (Spoken Words)
Jesus, the mere mention of His name can calm the storm, heal the broken, raise the dead. At the name of Jesus, I've seen sin-hardened men melted, derelicts transformed, the lights of hope put back into the eyes of a hopeless child. At the name of Jesus, hatred and bitterness turn to love and forgiveness; arguments cease.

I've heard a mother softly breathe His name at the bedside of a child delirious from fever, and I've watched that little body grow quiet and the fevered brow cool.

I've sat beside a dying saint, her body racked with pain, who in those final fleeting seconds summoned her last ounce of ebbing strength to whisper earth's sweetest name - Jesus, Jesus ....

Emperors have tried to destroy it; philosophies have tried to stamp it out. Tyrants have tried to wash it from the face of the earth with the very blood of those who claimed it. Yet still it stands!

And there shall be that final day when every voice that has ever uttered a sound, every voice of Adam's race shall raise in one great mighty chorus to proclaim the name of Jesus for in that day "Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!"

Ah, so you see, it was not mere chance that caused the angel one night long ago to say to a virgin maiden,"His name shall be called JESUS." Jesus Jesus Jesus. You know, there is something about that name...

                     Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name. 
                     Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. 
                     Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim! Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,But there's something about that name. 
But there's something about that name. Jesus, Jesus, Je-sus. 

                                                  Thought for the Day... 
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

May this Palm Sunday be one that leads us to the Joy of the Lord!

Fall Catch at Hendrickson Marsh

Fall is a wonderful season on Hendrickson Marsh...A place where I've spent minutes and some-days hours watching different types of life in motion, or setting suns. This particular post is focused on November 11,2015.

My plans are to write many posts in retrospect because of so much I have missed - telling a story and sharing pictures that might add maybe a bit of wonder to an  existence that goes by so fast you can't get out there on your own to see...

Ah! You say...a disturbed circle of water on the edge of a Marsh?!?

How interesting!

Well, I guess it's time to start telling you just why there happens to be a disturbed circle of water on the Edge of the Marsh.

What do you suppose could be riling up the water so much?
                                                                                                                  Out of the middle of the roiling water rose up a waterfowl - One of many Pied-billed Grebes taking shelter for a brief time and feeding before moving south for the winter.

 I would go out on a ripple and say they had decided to do a little catch and release fishing.

You know that little Blue Gill just kept trying to roll away with every wiggle it could muster to escape the jaws of the persistent,hungry birds

In the words of the dueling Grebes...Don't forget me! I know you caught the fish but for heavens sakes keep a hold  of the wiggler or I will certainly have lunch.

A back and forth chase across the marsh continued for a considerable amount of time in the life of a dangling fish.                                                            
Pursuit was futile - control remained with the darker of the two Grebes.                                                                  

It made me wonder what type of relationship the two birds might have minus the obvious draw.

The afternoon sun was coming to an end and I didn't see other birds so clearly embroiled with a task at beak.

I will have to say the weather was certainly warm for November, allowing for an enjoyable viewing experience on my part.

As the controlling Grebe turned tail to head in the opposite direction the follower was heard to say...Let's play  some more!

NO ...Got to go!

The Grebe was so compelled to make a run for it at this point - I lost sight of  whether or not it actually was able to swallow any part of the Blue Gill that had created such a feeding frenzy.

 Olly, Olly Oxen Free was not going to  work in this situation...



Thank you for your visit today! All photos posted here are the property of Timber Life.

Risen

Risen , a movie now playing throughout the United States during Lent  is about the crucifixion and investigation of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the experiences of Tribune Clavius,a non-believer. He was given the task by the Roman Ruler Pontius Pilate to expose the perpetrators of the lie of a  Risen Messiah.  To find those who could tell him about the tomb he had sealed, now opened and empty...

My husband and I had the pleasure of spending the last two weekends viewing the movie on Sunday afternoons.  Both weekends  we, my hubby and I visited the new Cinemark XD Theater located in Altoona, IA to see the movie.

Cinemark XD Altoona,IA

We felt the content of the movie followed the scripture and would  like to suggest to those seeking a different point of view on a life changing event to stop by your local theater.


I wanted to share the movie experience with my older brother while he was available...

which happened to coincide with the second Sunday afternoon.

I would like to address the new seating arrangements that we found quite appealing. A new amenity in the theater going experience.

On our first visit we discovered that you could select your seating. They show you a diagram at the ticketing counter  for you choose the available lounges. Cinemark offers online ticket purchases with two ticket dispensers available at the Altoona location.Once inside your particular theater the aisles are lettered and the seats numbered for identification, simple and easy.

As you can see in the picture, the young woman is reclining on a lounger, much like you would get to do at home. The middle arm that includes a cup holder will fold up if you need more room and are sharing the chair with a familiar individual. It looks as though she is enjoying some tasty concession snacks.

Getting back to the movie Risen... My simple recommendation when you take time out of your busy schedule is to stop, look, and listen, to what God is trying to share through the eyes of a Roman Tribune - in search of the truth...

The Sciuridae Family

Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel

I want to pickup on a topic I spoke of rather briefly in the second part of the post on Talkative Thursday.

The Sciuridae Family and my experiences with at least 6 of them, 4 of which are apart of the Timber Life family.

The only member of the family that isn't a ground dweller is the Foxtail Squirrel showing off in the third picture below. I truly have fun watching all these little critters running here and there...

Chipmunk

Groundhog

Foxtail Squirrel

Prairie Dog

However, a downside to these ground shifting rodents - unexpected holes to fall into when walking or driving around the farm and timber. After falling into holes created in the hard packed drive ,one will want to reconsider how fast the travel speed should be to complete the trip.

Soft soils are excellent medium to start a new tunnel and living quarters for most of  the cousins who live here in Iowa.                                           


The larger Groundhogs find no difficulty in expanding  their tunnels from between 8 - 66 feet with multiple rooms and exits.In the construction of their den it has been found to contain a room specifically associated to the bodily function of defecation. They usually have more than one den to keep them close to the best sources of food and protection. My observations have them building dens under wood piles, at bases of trees and in the slope of a hill in the timber floor.


I have been privileged to watch them scamper up trees and freeze in place so they won't be detected.



The Foxtail Squirrel is very industrious when it comes to distributing the Black Walnut seeds found in abundance here in our timber.

I would prefer they go about planting more acorns and hickory nuts instead of eating them...One of those human traits I would like to pass along - eat some, plant some and save some . The only problem with the last theory is the number of rodents and birds that feast on the same resources, there doesn't seem to be enough to save some.


                                                                          



In  September 2007, middle afternoon sun we found several Prairie Dog colonies in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Hubby and I hadn't seen these little creatures in the wild before this trip. It created a curiosity about their habits due to the problems they were said to be causing for the cattlemen and the destruction of the grazing lands over vast areas.

At the time of our visit to the Badlands they were beginning to test Blackfooted Ferrets as a means of biological control.

Yellow-bellied Marmot

This past summer during June, I had the great privilege of visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park outside Estes Park , CO., with my family.

On one of the Tourist Pull-off areas at Forest Canyon Overlook , we came across this chubby little Marmot out enjoying the late afternoon sun.

Please click the captions to find more information about each of the members of the squirrel family or previous posts here at Timber Life...


My hope is that the next time you see a member of the Sciuridae Family you'll have time to watch a little bit of nature in action in the great outdoors.


Thank you for your visit today! All pictures posted here are the property of Timber Life Wildscapes.

Song Day Sunday

A truth that continues to mean a lot to me through the years - I need to constantly look to God to keep me grounded. 

This week my personal goal is going to be being mindful of all I say, think, or do, to speak the truth in whatever circumstances God places before me...

Have a Blessed Day!

Song Day Sunday

 Good Song Day Sunday Morning to you !

As the day begins here for me at Timber Life on a Valentines Day and a Sunday I want to do some some singing. Today,I have a song to share that has come to mean a lot to me when I come to seek God's presence. I have been a Christian for along time now, but not always walking in the place spiritually that brings me close to the Lord. I continue to be a work in progress.

There is one question that comes to mind in both my personal and my Spiritual lives - How well do I listen to what my Lord or my spouse is trying to say to me? I will only pose the question...each of us who is married,in a relationship,single and has different interpretations of what Valentines means to them can answer it for themselves. In any case it probably means that focusing on the giver of the communications,learning to take things into your heart and mulling it over for awhile  instead of always making snap decisions, then thinking of it no more is an option that might get us further along in our day to day existence.

On a day like today when the day for Lovers coincides with the day we set apart for coming into the presence of God...I would like to focus on my relationship with God first and then with my Husband for their "Love Never Fails". Help me Lord to Open the Eyes of My Heart to always See and Believe in my heart of hearts...



                                                     

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy (Repeat two more times) Holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy,
I want to see you (Repeat five more times)

                                                  A thought for the day... 

Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Talkative Thursday

Honestly, I tried a couple of days ago to get a blog-post typed across the page. I wasn't able to get it accomplished for some reason or another. Excuses! Excuses!! Don't you know? ( said with a wink)

 If I would have been able to get things done I would have titled it Talkative Tuesday, but you see where it got me to today...Anyway, you will get to read today what should have been said already.

Monday February 1, 2016 

Today, I have something to say on a topic concerning this minute part of the world I occupy. Could be I'll have a  thought to interject into the online community that we might sit sipping coffee and discuss if we actually saw each other face to face.

Are you ready?!? I've got my coffee in hand. Is your coffee cup filled?

Iowa Caucus 2016

As a resident of Iowa I have been apart of  potential Republican Presidential candidates mailers, television commercials, and yes those DREADED telephone phone calls...even my cellphone. What I learned to do was let the answering machine take our calls, and if I didn't recognize the number on my cellphone it too went to voicemail,if they left a message.

We had quite a field of individuals from which to pick and choose just one in which we saw the leadership qualities we valued. The decision making process came and went this evening.

It had been several caucus cycles since I had participated at our precinct. Attendance to the event was  positive in number, entirely filling the room at the community center where Hubby and I go. They say this year totaled 186,000 souls strong Statewide increasing by half since  2012.

The candidate that finished first at our precinct was not the one who took the state as the first choice. I have a feeling that there are going to be questions once more on the way our selection process works in counting ballots and the way in which the results are reported.  The media brings stirrings of unrest by those who feel themselves slighted in the end tally. 

We will have some interesting months ahead until it has been decided who will be put on the November ballot.

Onto the next subject...

 Ground Hog Day

While working on ideas for my previous paragraphs I heard that Puxatawney Phil was not seeing his shadow and had optimistically prognosticated that Spring would be coming early. Keep your fingers crossed!

Sorry, I couldn't find one of our Ground Hogs lolling about in the snow...to add some additional prognostication from Iowa Timber Life Tim. I would have whispered with certainty into the little rodents ear for him to share that Spring will arrive in six weeks time.

We are accustomed to having Groundhogs waddling around here. They speed up trees or down holes if me or the dog happen to get to close.

The Groundhog is the largest member of the squirrel family and has a diet of  hickory nuts with a side of flowers or garden greens. According to my  observations

From personal experience I know they will pick up children's bubble toys that are left sitting

outside;either relocating at a distance to a den or burying them in soft dirt close by. I usually see only one at a time, unless a mother is showing her babies the best places to sleep and eat.They are entertaining until that salad they ate happens to include the roots of a special hosta I adopted from a family member. However, I have learned patience because they are another animal  species that has lived here longer than us...

Have a blessed evening!

Song Day Sunday

Many years ago when I was writing this blog I took inspiration from others who liked to share what made their daily walk work for them. One of the aspects put forth was to assign what type of Blog post would be written on specific days of the week. Today, means a day set apart from the rest of the week - to reflect more deeply on what God has been doing all week for me.

Over time I will share musical styles that have found a way onto my playlist. Who knows? Could be they will come to grow on you too...

A song that has been swirling about the confines of my thinking processes as of late is " God is Good",performed by the musical artist Don Moen.

If you have a mind to...join me in a little toe tapping to get your day started!

 

                                                      A thought for the day...
 
Psalm 100:5 - For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Snow for the Day

I know I spoke of Changes to get things going again, but one thing that will never Change around this Blog is the topic of deer. They have always been citizens of the Timber,before my time and will be long after I'm gone. Having the opportunity to live here is a blessing!

Time to EAT!

We got a new blanket of snow earlier this week.

Movin' on Over!

I was watching out the window as the snowflakes started coming down a few at a time. Eventually, the size got bigger and they started peppering down in a concentration distorting a clear view of everything within sight of the house. .

This fawn stopped to browse a Honey Suckle bush on it's way down the hill.

I'm enjoying this time of year when  groups of deer from far and wide gather together in our edge habitat.

In recent years the groups were small in numbers, I didn't see them mingle as I had witnessed in the past.
Severe Winters.and hunting both took the population count down. This year has been different...

Next Spring should be a great time to watch the new crop of fawns bounce and play like children in the pasture.

Hi There!!!

 I must not have been quiet enough as I switched rooms to continue watching out the windows before the deer disappeared,as they looked for a more sheltered spot.

 Love when I can get the fauna of our fields to focus on the photographer...

More thoughts later!

Have a blessed day...

Changes

I am back to do a little house cleaning,talking about blowing off the dust on my Blog last year, I should have taken myself more seriously. No promises of profound outlooks on life,but hopefully an exchange of thoughts that would make you smile or stop and think for a minute or two.

If you have visited before or read my last post, I did remove the Flying Eagle from the header in the start to my rejuvenation process. I still remain in awe and at least one or two keep flying over Timber Life at this time of year.

More Changes to come...