Friday July 31, 2015  BLUE MOON

 

11:18 P.M.

That’s right.  Tonight July 31^st is the blue moon.  The second full moon in the same calendar month.  I am told that the next blue moon will not be until January 2018.  I hope I am around to see it.

It is a bit late for me to start writing a blog so I will make it short and sweet.  I notice, since I have been home and not yet on a routine, it seems my blog substitutes for my journal.  But…today I was able to uncover my “journaling chair” in my library.  So many books had been dumped in there that I could hardly get into the room.  They are now dispersed here and there around the house where I will use them, some put in the closet, others tucked in nooks and crannies here and there, and now I can actually sit down to write in my library.  I also uncovered the chair across from me so my friend Betts will have a place to sit.  It’s my favorite room.  I have everything important at my finger tips.

I’ve had some people ask me what kind of books I enjoy reading.   I read mostly non-fiction with some novels interspersed.  I used to read more novels but have moved away from that in the past few years because there is always so much I want to learn.  Most of my books are spiritual topics. I don’t retain as much as I would like but I can always go back and reread it again.  I just went downstairs and took some photos of the “after” look of my library from the other day when I blogged a before picture.  I was careful to get some of the titles so you can enlarge and see the titles.  Some of the books in the pics I have read, others I am currently reading, some, I hope to read.  I have a stack of books on my footstool that I chose from daily to read after I do my prayer and time with the Lord.  Some days I am known to stay half a day down there just reading and studying.  I guess that is my favorite pastime.  I will also put a picture of my journals sitting on two or three shelves.  I number my journals and keep them in order so I can reference them if I need to.  I have indexes and events of each journal written in the front of each book.  The indexes are of the date and the poem I wrote that day and also my heart sounds that I hear from the Lord.  I am trying to get them typed into the computer so I can compile some books of poetry by theme.  I plan to write a daily devotional by using some of my journal writing.

Anyway, it’s a good feeling to know that I can now sit in my favorite chair and just get lost in the presence of the Lord and read my books.  When I awaken in the morning I will have been home for one month and I still don’t have a routine.  That will come…soon…I hope.  Let’s see, a sick husband, his recovery,  my surgery and recovery, friend coming, and maybe then we can settle in and become “boring retired people”.  To be truthful, I don’t know what being bored means.  As long as I have my mind to think I do not get bored.  Besides, I never have enough time to even think about getting bored.  It sort of sounds nice sometime.

Today I did a bit more pulling weeds (about two more hours worth) than I should have.  Weeds were here before I moved here 29 years ago.  I guess they’ll be here after I’m gone.  But I always think, maybe this will be the year I will defeat them.  It’s never happens.  Another thing that has never happened, is that I have never defeated the laundry.  When I think I am finished there is always more, even if it’s just the clothes I am wearing.  But I did accomplish washing, drying, folding, and putting away all the laundry for this past week.  Prepared lunch, ate, answered emails and phone calls, rested in bed for one hour reading a book, up to prepare dinner and leave by 6:30 for the Intimacy conference at church.  I wanted to go and hear the speaker tonight.  It was excellent.  He speaks again in the morning and we plan to go.  Got home about 11:00 p.m. and here I am.  A bit sleepy but still desire to write a poem.

 

NO OTHER DAY IS LIKE TODAY

By Kathleen Martens

July 31 2015

 

No other day is like today

For it is temporary and ends too soon.

A phenomenon that seldom comes

A big beautiful blue moon.

 

No other day is like today

Because today a new baby was born.

And tomorrow will have its own

When comes another morn.

 

No other day is like today

For today was someone’s last breath.

And others will weep sorrow

Because of their loved one’s death.

 

No other day is like today

Because God makes each one new.

And tomorrow is never promised

As is the sparkling dew.

 

So use this day wisely

So soon it will be spent.

Give to God all glory and praise

And His love let Him imprint.

***********************************

 

Calendar wisdom July 31:  “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for what I have not seen!”

Book:  “Life Living Intentionally for Excellence” Edited by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward

“The limiting factor on Your success is not the size of the obstacles, but the size of your dream.”

“People forget what you kept, but they will never forget what you gave.”

 

One note about the Intimacy Conference session I attended this evening.  IT WAS MORE THAN EXCELLENT!  In a few days you can google City Church Madison and listen to the sermons this week online.  I intend to listen to all the sessions I missed.  I love working out to good sermons!  It gives me incentive to go because I like multi-tasking.  The best workout to make my day run smoothly is my workout with the Lord.  Spending my time in my secret hiding place with Him.  The most important and vital activity we can do each day is to come into the presence of the Lord and acknowledge Him as our God and loving Savior.  Below is a poem I wrote a few years ago that I would like to share with you.  It is one of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it and it will cause you to draw unto the Lord because when you do, He will draw close to you.

 

In the Garden of My Heart

^{By Kathleen Martens}

^{September 4, 2010}

I say Your name Jesus

And You are there

For You are always waiting

For me to be aware.

 

In my secret chamber

My quiet hidden part,

You wait patiently

In the garden of my heart.

 

And in the quiet place

I walk daily with You,

Always a time of refreshment

Though sometimes moments few.

 

You are always patient

Waiting to hear Your name,

How awesome the presence

Of One of such fame.

 

Yet you come humbly

Showering love and grace

On all the flowers growing

As we meet face to face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The darkest day turns to light

The flowers of life bloom

For You cause my garden to grow

In my secret private room.

 

 

You are my hiding place,

My protection in time of need.

All I do is call Your name

And on Your word I feed.

 

And as we walk daily

With Your spirit I am free

For Your songs of deliverance

You sing over me.

 

And each day I awaken

Knowing with You I start.

I find you in my quiet place

In the garden of my heart.

 

Know that God is always waiting to hear you call out His name.  If it is not something you do every day, try it.  God wants to be your friend as well as your Savior.

 

Good night!