JUST FOR TODAY VIII

"Just for today I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable.
I will look as good as I can, dress becomingly, talk softly, act courteously and not interrupt when someone else is talking.
Just for today I will not improve anybody except myself."

JUST FOR TODAT VII

"Just for today I will do something I have been putting off for a long time. I will finally write that letter, make that phone call, clean that closet or straighten out those dresser drawers."

JUST FOR TODAY VI

"Just for today I wil have a program.
I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it, thereby saving myself from two pests: hurry and indecision."

JUST FOR TODAY V

"Just for today, before I speak I will ask myself, 'Is it true? Is it kind?, and if the answer to either of these questions is, "No". I will remain silent."

NEVER FORGET

"Even tho' no sculptured marble should rise to their memory,

Nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds; yet will remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored." Danel Webster

JUST FOR TODAY IV

"Just for today I will do something positive to improve my health.
If I am a smoker, I'll make an honest effort to cut down.
If I am overweight, I will eat nothing I know is fattening.
And I will force myself to exercise--even if it is only walking around the block or using the stairs instead of the elevator."

Editor's note: Remember, these thoughts are probably from the 1950's or even earlier. Grandmother was really "with it", wasn't she? : )

JUST FOR TODAY III

"Just for today I will improve my mind.
I will not be a mental loafer.
I will force myself to read something that requires effort, thought and concentration."

Editor's note: Grandmother Holmes was really keen on this one. She tried to learn something new everyday.

JUST FOR TODAY II

"Just for today I will adjust myself to what is.

I will face reality.

I will change those things that I can change and accept those things I cannot change."

Editor's note: And will ask God for the wisdom to know the difference.

JUST FOR TODAY

For the next few days I am going to be sharing some thoughts found among Grandmother Holmes' papers. They are titled "Just for Today" . Being resolved to do something for 24 hours is not too overwhelming, and is really an obtainable goal.

"Just for today I will be happy.

Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying, 'Mosts folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be'.

He was right, I think."

REWARDING

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord
and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, as you serve the Lord Jesus Christ."
Collossians 3:23-24




"Doing your best and offering it to God results in great reward." David Jeremiah

MORE IRIS

TFT: "People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us." Iris Murdoch

Editors note: I love this quote because it vindicates my almost unspeakable joy, sometimes bordering on addiction, when surrounded by God's handiwork so beautifully and wonderfully displayed in flowers.

IRIS

TFT: "Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being

busy and lively and unconcerned with self."

Iris Murdoch

WHAT IF..

..each face were a billboard that announced the true state of it's owner's heart?
How many would say, "Desperate, Despondant, Broken, Afraid and Confused"? or, maybe, "Faithless, Frantic, and Fearful"?

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13

BLESSED INDEED

"Seek the
simple faith.
Major in the
majors.
Focus on the
critical.
Long for God."
Max Lucado

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Jesus
Matthew 3:6

A LONG WAY TO HERE

These tiny
lily-of-the-
valley came
to my garden
by way of
Mom's garden
to our home
in Cape and
then to here.
TFT: "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength." St Francis de Sales
http://www.institute-christ-king.org/stlouis/

THANK YOU GOD

"The Lord has
done great
things for us,
and we are
filled with
joy."
Psalm 126:3

PINK HONEYSUCKLE

"If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred.




We will see God reaching out to us in every flower that blooms."
Oswald Chambers







Dear Lord, please open our eyes. Amen

LIMITLESS

"There is
no limit to
God's love.


It is without
measure and
it's depth cannot be
sounded." Mother Teresa

SIMPLE BEAUTY

"My heart is
steadfast, O God!
I will sing and
make melody
with all my
being."
Psalm 108:1




TFT: "A heart in correct alignment with God is centered, steady and serene.
I must be diligent in the pursuit of that kind of heart.
It requires denial of destructive distractions; it requires discipline and diligence in my devotion to time spent with God in prayer and His word.
Then His contribution of the Spirit's strength enables me to accomplish what I cannot on my own, steadfastness that causes a truly melodious life."
MS Johnson

MORE FROM MY NEIGHBOR'S GARDEN

Jerry grows not only beautiful flowers, but also an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
The promise
of straw
berries.






The promise of
blackberries.






The promise
of apricots.





It's a virtual
Garden of Eden;
(and I don't
think any of
the fruit is
forbidden!)



TFT: A promise of things to come: "Then the angel showed me the river of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month*.
And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
There will be no more night.....And they will reign for ever and ever." Revelation 22:1-6

*editors' note: How's that for a "fruit of the month club'? Hallelujah!