“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1
Some of us are blooming, some wilting. Some of us are sowing, others are harvesting. Together, in the garden. I crave our Creator and love HIM. And you.
Have faith, my friends. 🙏🌍💛
“With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” Ephesians 1:8-10
National Park Week!
“There is nothing so American as our national parks … the fundamental idea behind the parks … is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.”–President Franklin D. Roosevelt; 32nd president of the United States who signed Executive Order 6166, which created the National Park Service we know today
“If you drive to, say, Shenandoah National Park, or the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll get some appreciation for the scale and beauty of the outdoors. When you walk into it, then you see it in a completely different way. You discover it in a much slower, more majestic sort of way.”–Bill Bryson; American-British travel author/journalist
“The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.” Psalm 95:5
“A national park is not a playground. It’s a sanctuary for nature and for humans who will accept nature on nature’s own terms.”–Michael Frome; writer, educator, and conservationist
Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature’s darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but nature’s sources never fail.”
John Muir; Scottish-American naturalist, environmental philosopher, conservationist, and author known as “Father of the National Parks”
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”-Genesis 1:26
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15
Our crushing Class AA Cardinals’ affiliate, Springfield Cardinals, set a franchise record in consecutive wins. Much like the nail-biting game I wrote about last year, the bats swung (a word for Martha) with come-back conviction. A blow-your-mind come-back-from-behind win! 9-0—a record!
My record? 2-0! Nearly two years are behind me, and I’m happy to set a 100%-win record in my series with cancer.
Loss WILL happen.
There’s freedom in losing count of strikeouts, injuries, side-line struggles, and group gossip.
Let’s stop keeping scores based on politics, positions, and postures. Let’s lose count of the times we’ve been hurt, handled, or harmed.
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”
Philippians 3:7
Are you keeping the score of the runs or the ridicule? Can you lose count of the consecutive contempt and concentrate on the countenance of Christ?
“Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21
In a world that counts runs or assumes religion is all about righteousness, let’s talk about a winning plan. What shapes your convictions? We’re all in the game together. It’s not about keeping scores based on doctrine or following the law. Discipline, hard work, humility…God wants to restore us on our paths to wholeness and holiness. So why keep count and score? Why compare injuries or losses?
“and become one with him. I no longer count on my righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”
Philippians 3:9
Love. A league of its own. It’s an affiliate of the Almighty; not a rally of personal righteousness.❣️
Let’s cheer each other on and lose count of the team uniform and coaches—we’re in the same league.
Nature is winning–K.L. Hale
Do you know how loved you are? If you don’t, feel free to email me at finleyriverpublishing@gmail.com. If I don’t return it immediately, I might be sidelined for a day or two. I’m happy to share my game experience—and most importantly, love.
FYI–I’m off to an appointment soon–thank you for your kindness and patience. Friends, I thank you for your unwavering support and prayers. Recently, I learned of two friends that are battling cancer. May we all continue lifting one another–for truly we are on the same team. 💕
Have you heard of NET, Yet?🦓
I’m maintaining and moving more-I’m in the game. A new monthly injection/treatment seems to be less painful; yet has some sidelining side effects. It’s tricky. How do you decide on a game plan? Do you watch, wait, and pray on the bench? Or do you grab a bat and swing? Do I sit in the stands with others, cheering, and resting?
For those who aren’t familiar with NET, this cancer is rare. It’s a marathon. Like all of you, some days are better than others. The goal is to keep it out of the liver again. To keep my organs running smooth, my bones from aching so they can heal, and to keep my heart on what matters most.
God always has a plan. I’m listening. With solid support and my daily faith workouts, I’m keeping my head and heart in the game. I told John, my blogging friend with cancer, I’d rather have 75% of a month where I’m in the game than 0%. We’re all battling game injuries. I’m simply happy to be on your team. While here I won’t keep score. I’ll lose count and just take one day at a time.
In the next two weeks to two months, I’ll have appointments, another treatment, and hopefully, a visit to Texas and north Missouri to see my most important people (I have two amazing sons and daughter-in-loves, and 3 precious grands). Here, in my Springfield stands, I have a solid support team member and my fabulous family and friends (all of you included). Each Wednesday I huddle with an incredible team of other cancer thrivers. Without them, my skills would be lessened. Their lives and stories inspire me-the learning motivates me. If I’m “hit and miss” at your place, please know I will meet you there as soon as possible.
Unexpectedly, I had several appointments in the last two weeks (or 3? I’ve lost count 😉). One was scary, hairy, and a bit frustrating. “Don’t keep score, Karla. It’s a loss; lead with love.” This Godly game plan worked for HIS purpose. Leaving there, I waved at this precious lady and her fuzzy huge, adorable cat. She rolled down the window and waved me over. “Here,” she said. “I want to give you this kindness rock I painted.” Tears streamed down my face. “Thank you. This means so much to me.” In that instant, not just names were shared. Hope. Kindness. Love. Everything diseased inside of me felt gone. Cancer? I lost count.
Cathy, thank you for my kindness rock–and your sweet spirit and smile.
⭐
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air
Honking horns, warmhearted waves, and lively laughter crowded the highway headed south. Sunbeams followed suit. Camaraderie and coffee, lingering laughter, and abiding agreement. Soon, the air cooled, goosebumps grew, birds chirped, and pups were perplexed. From a sunset glow to dimness-cheers than tears. Complete silence. Utter awe. “Thank you, God, for your miracles.”
Pic by K.L. Hale, 4/08/24, NW AR
A perfect alignment, moon’s orbit and distance, The degree of the tilt, determined its existence.
Darkness diminished rapidly, as it eclipsed the light A few seconds to minutes, the day seemed like night.
Do you seek shelter, in a time of the unknown? Or embrace it unflinching, witnessing the miracles shown?
The pathway is riddled with shadows and light, Which way do you travel, the left or the right?
LOOK UP, witness rare, a new moon, the sun’s rays “Don’t eclipse possibilities, and stay grateful,” I pray. K.L. Hale
Light obscured by darkness. A rare event, a rare cancer, obscured definitions and explanations. Obscurity.
Miracles in-the-making. Pain to progress. Tears to laughter. Helplessness to hope.
A rare day in AR-pics by K.L. Hale–Canon PowerShot SC740 HS
Has hope been obscured by helplessness? Is life double-downed in darkness or are you standing in the light? Do you know how RARE and uniquely made YOU ARE? Do you REALLY know how loved you are?
I know a MAN WHO CAN love you when you feel unlovable, provide light in the darkness, and replace human impossibilities and obscurities with evolutionary eternity!
“For once, you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” Ephesians 5:8
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”-Brene Brown
God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light. Job 33:28
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
“Don’t turn away. Keep your gaze on the bandaged place. That’s where the light enters you.” ― Rumi
Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.” John 12:35
“Pointing to another world will never stop vice among us; shedding light over this world can alone help us.”-Walt Whitman
As the world keeps spinning, the opposition may orbit.
My joy is unobscured. In HIM my hope always stays. For faith and my Master turned my night into day.
