How Can We Know The Way?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus’s disciples felt confused when he talked about going away. “You know the way to the place where I am going,” He told them. Thomas voiced the question burning in all their minds: “Lord we don’t know where you’re going. So how can we know the way? Jesus’s answer was simple and direct: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.”

It may be popular to claim that many paths lead to God, but that contradicts what the Bible teaches. Jesus taught that access to God can only come through placing our faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection. The way is clear and open to everyone, blocked only by a person’s unwillingness to believe. There is no alternate route. People who denounce the gospel as narrow minded miss the wonder that God provided a way for us to come to Him at all.

Jesus is more than the path to salvation and eternal life: He shows us the way to live a life of true meaning and purpose. Nurturing our relationship with Him and following the directions in God’s Word are the only way to travel. We may be temped to let our life be guided by sources that seem more exciting, but we’ll only end up feeling confused.

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

 

 

I want to wish you all a Happy Easter as we celebrate the Life, the death and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ , The Son of Almighty God.

For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that who so ever believes in Him shall not perish but have Ever Lasting  Life. John 3:16.

 

Love and Care

Dianne :)

New Beginnings and A New Year

 

 

Baby Michael’s First Christmas

               

 

           Baby Hope’s First Christmas

Hope, Tesa, Jenna and Courtney.

 

 

It seems strange looking back when we have a New Year ahead of us with new beginnings. I haven’t had a lot of time to reflect on this past year, but one thing that stands out for me personally is what a Blessing my Family, and my Grandchildren are to me. Life and Family are precious treasures that I hold dearly. Friends are treasures I hold dearly also. I am so Blessed beyond measure. I have so much to be thankful for.

This past year I have been Blessed with two more of Grandma’s Little Angels as I like to call them. :)

Hope was born premature back in May, and with God’s Grace she has come a long way, and is doing just fine, and just had her first Christmas. Thank you for all who kept her, and us in your prayers for her safe arrival. God heard each and every prayer.

Baby Michael arrived not long after and experienced his first Christmas also. We as a family are so Blessed. Thank you for all who prayed for his safe arrival also.

I now have 5 Grandchildren. Time keeps ticking as the years come and go. Life goes on. We can look back and reflect, and then must move on, and look forward to a New Year and New Beginnings. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 in the Bible, where it talks about “There is a time for everything under the sun.

 

As a New Year is upon us we hope for a Happy New Year filled with good things. We all have things we wish for ourselves, and those we hold dearly, friends and family.

The reality is that life is full of good things , and also many hardships, and even disappointments. It is filled with many Happy moments, and also sad moments and even losses. None of us know what is down the road on our Journey Of Life. None of us know what this year will bring but we have Hope for a bright future. In saying all of this I want to wish and pray that each and every one of you will have a Happy and Healthy New Year, and God’s strength, and endurance to get over the times when the road may be a  rough. Keep loving, sharing with friends, and family, and your neighbors, as well as new persons you will meet along your path. There may even be those you will need to forgive, and hopefully reconcile with. Life is too short not to show one another Grace.

I know this post is wordy and long. I haven’t been able to post as much but many of you remain in my thoughts, and prayers. Thank you for your friendship, prayers and support. I look forward to visiting you and your blogs when I can.

Love and Care

Dianne :)

 

I will leave a portion of Ecclesiastics 3 for those who may want to read it.

God Bless each and everyone who may stop by and those who leave their heart prints. Thank you.

Happy New Year !!!

 

…….. 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 3 (New International Version)

 

A Time for Everything

¹ There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.

⁹ What do workers gain from their toil? ¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet^[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. ¹² I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³ That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. ¹⁴ I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

¹⁵ Whatever is has already been,
   and what will be has been before;
   and God will call the past to account.^[b]

The Birdhouse Café Series

 

Male Cardinal Enjoying The Berries

 

There aren’t many leaves left on the trees, but there are berries, and birds. That is one thing I like about this time of year. You can see and spot a bird even in the distance. One thing for sure, you can’t miss the beautiful red Cardinals. They are one of my most favorite song birds. I love listening to them whistling. This time of the year has so much beauty to see, and hear. All one has to do is look beyond the bare trees, and see God’s little treasures no matter the Season.

It always takes me awhile to adjust to this time of year. It is like I have to learn to refocus and look beyond the grey skies, and dark clouds that hover above, and the colder weather.

The time really does fly by and even if the weather is cold, and sometimes damp, I am reminded of a few things about this time of year that I love.

I love sitting by my small fireplace curled up with a good book, and a nice hot beverage and  my little dog lying by the fire enjoying the warmth, keeping me company.

I love waking up in the morning feeling all warm and cozy and the feel of  flannelette sheets.

I love the seasonal foods such as homemade soups and stews.

There are others things I like about this time of year also.

So I will try not to dwell on the things I don’t like , and make the best of the things I do love. I do have my moments like everyone else but I am reminded of so many things I am thankful for.

Hope to find you all well. Hope this week is kind to you all.

Love and Care

Dianne :)

 

And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it of your own free will ... Lev 2:29.

Bird Feeder Café Series by Dianne @ dsphotocats

Knock Knock …….

Who’s There?

What’s this, a role call or something?

Can’t I just eat with a little peace and quiet?

After all it’s Saturday

and I had a long week at the office.

Do you think they will miss us at the feeder this morning?

I say,”What the world needs now is Love Sweet Love”. 

Now wouldn’t that just knock your talons off!!! 

If everyone loved,everyone.

Dianne © dsphotocats

......................

The True Meaning Of Love

 4Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5or rude.
It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable,
and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6It does not rejoice about injustice
but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful
and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The Inspired Word Of God

God has a very high standard of Love.
He Himself demonstrated True Love on the cross
where Jesus gave His Life,
that we could live by being born again, Spiritually.
There is no one in all the earth or universe
that can claim such Love, as God, our Creator.

 We know what real love is because
Jesus gave up his life for us.
So we also ought to give up our lives
for our brothers and sisters.
1John 3:16

So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love each other. Just as I have loved you,
you should love each other. John 13:34

 ………………………………………………………………………………………………

As I read these verses, I see how
I have come short of God’s Standard.
but I know He loves me, and because of His Grace I am saved
and I pray that His Love will shine through me,
and my love will shine through to others.
He is the source of Love in it’s purest form.

Thank you one and all, who have taken the time to read my blog,
and for those who leave your heart prints by leaving a comment. 

May you have a wonderful day and God be with you.

Also, my mom is doing well after her surgery.
and I spend as much time with her as I can.
Baby Hope is doing amazingly well,
and is growing stronger every day.
She now ways approx. 6lbs.
Thank you all who have prayed for my mom and Hope,
and my family, and for me also.
Prayer is such an act of Love, and as one friend said,
Prayers are treasures sent to Heaven.
God sees them all when we come to Him with a sincere heart,
and humbly before Him.

Please remember Carole, our dear sister,
who fell and broke her wrist, and injured her knees.
She has prayed for so many of us, in our time of need.

I realize this post is long,
but I guess you could say I am making up for lost time,
as my life is full, and very busy most of the time.
I hope to come and visit you all real soon.

Love and Care

Dianne :)

Baby Hope Has Arrived Home Today

 

 

Sweet Dreams

 

 

Daddy’s Little Girl

 

 

These photos were taken on Sunday Morning when I went with my son for Hope’s Feeding.

She no longer has her tube in and was released from the hospital today and is home with her family. She weighs in at 5 lbs. and is now 57weeks old. What a miracle she is.

Thank you Jesus for this precious gift you have given  us to love and cherish. Thank you for answered prayers.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and support during the weeks leading up to this happy day.

God Bless each and everyone of you.

xox Dianne :)

Dianne © dsphotocats

Rewind Option?….

Would that we could
have a button
marked rewind.
I promise I wouldn’t
use it all of the time,
Only when needed
in emergency say?
Trouble is
I’d have
emergencies
each and every day!!

LadyP© 2011

Train Of Life

 

 

 

Train Of Life

Some folks ride the train of life
Looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by,
And marking every year.
They sit in sad remembrance,
Of wasted days gone by,
And curse their life for what it was,
And hang their head and cry.
But I don't concern myself with that,
I took a different vent,
I look forward to what life holds,
And not what has been spent.
So strap me to the engine,
As securely as I can be,
I want to be out on the front,
To see what I can see.
I want to feel the winds of change,
Blowing in my face,
I want to see what life unfolds,
As I move from place to place.
I want to see what's coming up,
Not looking at the past,
Life's too short for yesterdays,
It moves along too fast.
So if the ride gets bumpy,
While you are looking back,
Go up front, and you may find,
Your life has jumped the track.
It's all right to remember,
That's part of history,
But up front's where it's happening,
There's so much mystery.
The enjoyment of living,
Is not where we have been,
It's looking ever forward,
To another year and ten.
It's searching all the byways,
Never should you refrain,
For if you want to live your life,
You gotta drive the train.

Author Unknown

 

 



 

 

I was riding my bike one day, and I stopped dead in my tacks,or should I say train tracks.

It was a late summer afternoon, and I had gone for a ride on the waterfront trail, and was on my way back home.

Out of the corner of my eye I looked in both directions, and this is what I saw. This is a little moment in history. I am looking forward to what lies ahead, but since I haven’t been out with my camera in awhile this is from my archives. :)

><><

 

I have had a lot going on in my life, and that of my family. I would ask that you remember my Daughter-In Law (Sandra) and my little granddaughter who as of yet hasn’t been born. They are in the hospital in a NICU, because the baby is only 33 weeks old at this time. She is expected to have a premature arrival. I would appreciate your prayers for them, and that the baby would have a safe, and healthy arrival.

The last few weeks have been very unsettling for all of us, and stressful as well.

I know they are both in God’s Hands, as we all are.

The Medical Team is hoping that the baby can stay safely in the womb until the 34th week, and then if need be they will induce her labor . This is the short version of what has been happening without going into too much detail. Please remember my son who is the daddy, and Tesa, Jenna, and Courtney who are missing mom, and looking so foreword to having another little sister to be part of their family.

><>< 

My other son and daughter-in-law are also expecting a little baby boy in August. :)

I had the pleasure of watching a 3D ultrasound, live broadcasting on my computer, yesterday. I got to watch my not yet born little grandson, in his mom’s womb. He was blowing bubbles , and was quite active. It brought me to happy tears as I watched the miracle of life before my very eyes. I only wish I could have seen the expression on my son’s and daughter-in-laws face as they watched their son. I am so very happy and excited for the both of them.

Life is good, and so very Precious!

Well there are other things going on in my life also, but this is more than enough for one day.

God Bless and be with you all. Have a good week.

Sincerely Dianne :)

 

Homeward Bound……

AS the plumed waves rushed towards the shore,

under the gaze of the desolate moon,

the ghost ship sailed on one quest more

it’s path lit by the moonlights gloom.

Many long years they’d sailed the seas,

Done evil things they’d forever regret

ignored all their victims plaintive pleas,

until they were cursed to never forget.

For a hundred years they served their time,

kept from life, forgetting it’s pleasure,

no crumb could be eaten, water tasted like brine

only thus could they pay full measure.

They traversed the seas by starlit charts,

long gone worlds had died to light

the way to their final resting place,

The ghost crew would find peace tonight…….

LadyP © 2010

 

re-published…a favourite of mine..

Pay the Piper…….

 

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

  

   Is there no limit to what you’ll do?      
                        Is there no morality at all to be found?
                        Is your decision Conservative Blue,                  
                        you’ll sell whatever to raise a quick pound                    
   Last time Maggie Thatcher sold all she could
                        the Utilities went, and she saw it was good,
                        She sold out the miners, small business’s too
                        but what the heck, that’s not important to you.
   The Fat Cat’s of Business are in total control
                        they keep to the shadows,  the Party Bankroll
                        they care not for who will be drowned in the mire
                        as the cuts are forced through,  put all to the fire.
   “Sell off the country,  sell Greenbelt land”
                        sell anything profitable for those in command
                        NO worries of the poor and forget the old
                        change the NHS, leave them out in the cold..            
    Sell off our Forests …to  Private Concerns too
                        restrictions to us, we won’t walk free as we do,
                        no Country hikes, they’ve worked with such guile
                        give them an inch,  they’ll take the whole mile.        
    When will we learn, Politicians lack souls?           
                        they do things for profit and personal goals            
                        they’ll strip us bare to keep the country afloat,
                        when we finally sink, they’ll have their own boat.               

 

                         LadyP © 2011

This Wednesday there is a crunch vote in Parliament. MPs will vote on a motion demanding a rethink of plans to sell our national forests.
If enough of us contact our MPs now, we've got a real chance of winning this vote! So let’s make sure MPs are getting thousands of messages with one very clear request: vote to save our forests this Wednesday.
It's quick and easy to email your MP, click here to send them a message:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/tell-your-mp-to-save-our-forests

7 Little Things….

My good friend, Jenny, Honey I’m Home  has given me the chance to let you know 7 things about myself,  and after unloading all my info, I was supposed to pick out 15 other blogs to  likewise furnish a ‘Stylish Blog Award’ too.
Quite a headache really, BUT I happened onto Beth’s site   Day BY Day    (also nominated) and my thanks to you Beth, for giving me a loophole, as I agree you wholeheartedly in saying everyone is a stylish blogger…How on earth could I pick 15 out of all the stylish bloggers I visit and catch up on?.  Impossible, quite simply impossible…  So I award everyone of you this award… and you can pick up the baton of sharing 7 things about yourself if you so wish …

Now for the 7 things……

1. My name ‘Pen’ (Penelope, Penny, whatever!!)  is my middle name, hated by me since childhood , my first name is … not going to say..!!
   But I did start up my blog with the name Lady Penelope, after happening across a YouTube video, and therefore it’s all the fault of Gerry Anderson and his Thunderbirds series…  Before my time but it looked fun…
   
2. MY father left the family when I was a small child, I‘ve always dreamed of finding out why, and if he ever regretted doing so. Sadly I will never find out, as he died before we could meet…
   
3. I always wear my Manchester United Shirt when listening or watching their games at home, (can’t afford to go to all the matches) ... To my mind this is why they have such ‘winning ways.’   ;-)
   
4. I was born in Darlington, County Durham, at my Grandparents Bungalow, a place which holds very special memories for me. Sadly when they died it was sold and I would so love to be able to afford to buy it back… Although I do wonder sometimes if without those two special people, it won’t feel the same?
   
5. I have a ‘thing’ about recycling,  I worry about the planet and what our disgusting habits of a throwaway society is going to do to it’s beauty and it’s wildlife. Have you heard about the ‘plastic garbage patch’ ?
   
6. I also have a ‘thing’ about milk, I worry if I don’t have enough in the house.  At this precise moment I have 3 x 4ltrs in my fridge. (the plastic bottles are recyclable…) I have no idea if this phobia is some deep, dark memory from my childhood, maybe we ran out for days?  Who knows how the mind works, especially mine!!
   
7. I wonder daily about life and it’s meaning, I have tried since I was a  child to ‘Do as you would be Done By’…a saying I read in the book  ‘The Water Babies’  by Charles Kingsley… I took this very literally and went about to do a daily ‘good deed’ … Beware anyone who didn’t need help ‘cos they got it anyway, with a massive smile thrown in!! 
   
   
   SO there you have it, feel free to join in should you want to… I feel better already…   :-)

LadyP ……..2011

Excess…..

 I think someone sneaky
crept in at dead of night,
swapping my jeans
for ones just
a little
too tight,
I can get them on
there’s no doubt about that
BUT they seem so uncomfy
and make me feel fat.

If I look sideways in the mirror
and then inhale deeply
they don’t look so bad,
in fact
they fit
quite sweetly,
but I can’t
hold my breath
for more than a few
seconds or two,
and I’d rather be alive
than just look thinner, wouldn’t you?

I’ve come to the conclusion
I might have gained weight,
I think it’s the fault
of all the tasty
things I ate,
why oh why
didn’t that sneaky
person think twice
and swap my body for one smaller,
now wouldn’t that’ve been nice!!

LadyP © 2011

Light Choice…

You see this lantern? You see it’s light?
Look deeply and don’t turn away,
Only few are blessed to see this sight
now you are added to the list today.
Many have searched in lifelong quest
for The Light to guide their way
to repel the darkness at it’s behest
So, choose the light, keep dark shadows at bay….

LadyP © 2010

Ripples..…

 

I don’t know where I’m going,
but I know where I’ve been,
I can’t see the future,
but I know what I’ve seen
There’s no-one to guide me
I trust my own good sense
This life is our one chance
to live well, without pretence.
For what does it matter
about the past and any pain
we live on regardless
or else all is in vain
Choices ripple on water
we set in motion to see
the ending to the statement,
What will be, will be…

LadyP © 2010

A Halloween Tale…

 

Let me tell you a story of a room with no view,
the windows are boarded, it’s door is locked too
no way can you enter this dark scary place,
as a man so alone wants to see no-ones face.

For many long years he’s lived locked inside
this room with no view, this place he can hide
deathless, seemingly immortal, he waits in vain
for his one true love, and it’s driven him insane

She left him heartbroken, no backward glance
She left him without pity, no second chance
Little did she know, he knew where she’d gone
he’s waiting for vengeance, her only child lives on

This child has grown. a young lady of means
she bought the house outright, totally unseen
She was excitedly viewing it, from top to bottom
BUT one door was locked,  a lost key forgotten

He waited for a chance to catch her alone
some friend had been there, now they’d gone,
As he heard her footsteps outside his room,
he whispered silently, “You’ll be with me soon”

I know no more of this unhappy tale
but the neglected house is again up ‘For sale’
Mayhap the Dark Room is still locked away
but could there be two who inhabit it today?

 

LadyP ©2010

My Buddy….

I’ve just tried and failed to do a poem about my Bess, but nothing will work, nothing sounds right, it was too syrupy, it just, well,  sounded…ridiculous

SO, I’ll just say these words,

When I first had ownership of a small bundle of black and white fur of 8 weeks old, I had no idea how my life would be turned upside down. My home and garden too, if I’m perfectly honest.
My first and only dog, ..my own, she was dependant on me and my then husband of course, but she was my idea and therefore my responsibility.  We’ve been through so much, the joys of owning a dog, having a sidekick, someone like Bess, who just makes life worth living.  Alright I admit, I have called her :- trouble, fun, joy, love, heartache, pain and last of all ‘someone’ of whom I will say has increased my joy in day to day living. To wake up of a morning (6 o’clock for walkies) and see her, ever ready for play  (Ughh)…her eyes, asking all the while .’What are we doing today  ..eh? eh?’ …Her ability to change your mood from sadness to a smile as she tries to bury the glove you lost, the sock you’ve been missing for ages, the way she barks at the Freezer, an old enemy, it’s the cold air perhaps?  who knows…and the ‘under the feet’ syndrome, as you’re walking into a room, ‘where are we going?’ turns into a howl, from you, as she’s tries to beat you to the back door, maybe to try and find something interesting outside.  eh?  ‘Are we?’

Most of all, this larger, older bundle of black and white fur, is in my heart, she makes me cry when she’s not well, she makes me laugh when we play, and she is my buddy…The years are getting on, the grey hairs are coming, (Bess not me!!  Hmmff), and she’s showing her age, slowing down a bit, not much but just enough to show the years.  I love you, Bess, I love you loads…I never, ever thought about the end of this partnership of ours, but it will come and I don’t know what I’ll do without you.  For now, as I carry you up the stairs you used to take in a few bounds (Osteoarthritis), as you bark to be let out and I watch you slowly make your way into the garden, (one changed over the years from orderly to dog -friendly, a mess really!)..I wonder how I’ll cope..but I will. sadder and lonelier than I’ve ever felt before…but I would not wish to have missed out on your company, your wet nose on my bare feet and most of all you..

  .. MY Buddy..

 

Apologies for being sentimental..She’s was ill this week..and it’s been a bit traumatic…But she is better, and I hope and pray she stays that way, for a long while to come.. (she’s 13)

 

LadyP x

Closing The Door.

 

You want an answer to your question

you want to know my decision today?

Surely you can tell I’m undecided

As I try to keep out of your way.

You wonder about my reasoning?

you wonder if I’ll turn you away?

surely you know I weigh the options

it’s best for me at the end of the day.

You have the answer to your question

yet still again you ask of me why?

Please accept what I say, just go away

Do I want to change suppliers?  NO, Goodbye!!

 

LadyP © 2010

Keeping Pace

 

 

 It seems I’ve joined with WordPress

and Blogger, now I’m Twitter~ing too

armed with Pen Name and email address

I log into this and that, don’t you?

This modern life passes so quickly

like a blur, so I cannot keep pace

I get emails galore, showing updates and more

Seems I’m wired into the network race…….

 

( & I’m loving every minute.)

                         

LadyP © 2010

 

Seasons….

 

 

Today it’s colder, the winter chill growing

the wind whips all debris about,

the hot summer sun seems a long ago dream

Autumn soon to make an entrance no doubt.

The seasons flow in non stop rhythm,

the life and soul of this planet Earth

each one responding to the trigger given

bringing hope in the full circle of rebirth…

 

LadyP©2010

 

Above painting, oil on Canvas by David Lloyd Griffith…

http://www.kooywoodgallery.com/display.php?aid=24

For Love?…

For all the tall tales that have ever been told,

For all the sad reasons of the tale telling,

For all the lives touched by lies grown so old,

For all the lovers, betrayed,  left with tears welling

 

For this is how lies twist a life with such pain

For this is how love is lost through lies spun

For this is sad truth, as faith dies with no gain

For this being Life, Love has ended, No-one's won,

 

Though the jealousy owning the liar fades and dies

Though it has seen the star crossed lovers are done

what happens when love fades?..why even through lies

Could the liar and the spurned lover ever be as one?

 

LadyP © 2010

Black as Oil……..

 

Oh you mockers, wagging your finger,

shaking your heads, with eyes that linger,

on heads bowed down in abject sorrow

come the day, come tomorrow,

Seems that nothings come to pass

dreams have broken,  shattered glass,

nothing is as it seems at all

you climbed so high, but now you fall

down, far down, to the darkness waiting

you tried and failed and now they’re baiting

calling for blood as you once did,

so, finish it now, close the damned lid,

on all that future, promised bright

now what’s left?…’tis black as night…

 

LadyP © 2010