Bungalow Retreat You're invited…

Since we’re already into the month of May, I’m assuming the flowers now blooming would be considered May Flowers . . . Although, as crazy as this spring has been, they may be June flowers blooming early.

But whether they’re May flowers, or June flowers, no matter the month in which they bloom, I simply love flowers!

Having said all that, for what it was worth , in this post I’ll be sharing photographs I’ve taken during the past week.

So whether it’s a gardenia, lily, gladiolus, rose, or hydrangea, I hope you’ll agree they’re all breathtaking examples of God’s glorious creation.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name.

Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him . . .

Speak of all His wonders.

Glory in His holy name . . .

Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.

Seek the Lord and His strength . . . 

Seek His face continually. 

Sing to the Lord, all the earth . . .

Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

Tell of His glory among the nations . . .

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. 

Splendor and majesty are before Him . . . 

Strength and joy are in His place. 

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples . . . 

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name.

Tremble before Him, all the earth . . . 

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice . . . 

And let them all say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” 

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good . . .

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Then all the people said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. Taken from I Chronicles 16:8-36

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New Bible study at www.terimetts.com: Wanting What They Have. Hope you’ll join me.

Until next week, 

Resting in Him, 

Teri

I did a post last year that I titled, Pretty in Pink, but since it describes these beautiful roses so well, I decided to use it again.

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength . . . 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name . . . 

Worship the Lord in holy array. Psalm 29:1-2

Jesus says: “Meet Me in morning stillness . . . 

while the earth is fresh with the dew of My Presence.

Worship Me in the beauty of holiness.

Sing love songs to My Holy Name.”

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones . . .

Praise is becoming to the upright.

Sing to the Lord a new song . . . 

For the word of the Lord is upright . . . 

and all His work is done in faithfulness. 

He loves righteousness and justice . . . 

The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalm 33:1, 3-5

Jesus says, “The dawning of each new day is a gift from Me, not to be taken for granted.

The earth is vibrantly alive with my blessings, 

giving vivid testimony to My Presence. 

If you slow down your pace of life, you can find Me anywhere.”

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

The earth is the Lord’s . . .

and all it contains . . . 

the world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy:

Pretty in Pink (2011)

The Color Purple

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Hope you have a few minutes to join me for Bible study. This week we’re answering the question: Who is Your Teacher. Check it out: www.terimetts.com

Until next week,

Resting in Him,

Teri

Over the last month I’ve spent a lot of time photographing the wondrous signs of spring.

As a result, I’ve come up with a hodgepodge of pictures I’ve decided to share with you this week.

Like this arbor and picket fence covered in Confederate Jasmine . . .

and this blackberry blossom growing out in our garden . . .

and this beautiful butterfly that landed just long enough for me to snap its picture.

I know he’s small, but I love this Carolina Wren peeking over the door to our neighbor’s shed.

For such a little bird, this little fellow can be heard far and wide calling for his “sweetie, sweetie, sweetie”.

How blessed are those whose way is blameless . . . 

Who walk in the law of the Lord.

They also do no unrighteousness . . .

They walk in His ways.

Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!

Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all Your commandments.

How can a young (or not so young) man (or woman) keep his or her way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

With all my heart I have sought You . . . 

(don’t miss the Tufted Titmouse peeking out of the opening to this birdhouse )

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Your word I have treasured in my heart . . . 

that I may not sin against You.

You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.

Teach me good discernment and knowledge . . .
for I believe in Your commandments.

Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet . . .

and a light to my path.

You are my hiding place and my shield . . .

I wait for Your word.

The unfolding of Your words gives light . . .

It gives understanding to the simple . . . 

I opened my mouth wide and panted . . . 

for I longed for Your commandments.

Establish my footsteps in Your word, O Lord . . . 

And do not let iniquity have dominion over me.

Make Your face to shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 

Scripture taken from Psalm 119

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy:

Buds & Blooms

Color

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New Bible study: Sufficient Grace. Hope you’ll join me.

www.terimetts.com 

Until next week, 

Resting in Him, 

Teri

Located about a mile from our house, you’ll discover one of Mississippi’s best kept secrets: D’Lo Water park, situated on thickly-wooded acreage along the scenic Strong River.

If you enjoy canoeing, camping, fishing or other outdoor fun, D’Lo Water Park is a great place to visit.

Approximately 4 miles south of our home on Highway 43, you’ll find Merit Water Park, which consists of 25 acres of land located on Rials Creek.

Merit Water Park features a small waterfall and an old-fashioned swimming hole.

Rials Creek is spring-fed and runs cold even on hot summer days. I know this is true from experience.

Whenever I visit one of these beautiful parks, several passages of Scripture come to mind. I’d originally planned on writing a Bible study based on these particular passages, but decided to let God’s word and these photographs speak for themselves.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners . . . 

nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord . . .

and in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water . . . 

which yields its fruit in its season . . .

and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.

For he will be like a tree planted by the water, 

that extends its roots by a stream . . .

and will not fear when the heat comes; 

But its leaves will be green . . .

And it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” 

Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. 

On the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other.

Then he said to me, “It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live.

And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there, and the others become fresh . . .

So everything will live where the river goes. 

By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food.

Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail.

They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:6-12

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy:

Trees

Clematis & Roses

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This week’s Bible study: Experiencing God’s Peace & Love. Hope you’ll join me. www.terimetts.com

Also, I’m sharing Friday, April 27, on Katie Ganshert’s blog about how God took pain from my past and turned it into something good. Hope you’ll check it out: http://bit.ly/rp5crv

visit me on Facebook: Author, Teri Metts or follow me on Twitter or Pinterest.

Until next week,

Resting in Him,

Teri

Roses are red . . .

although sometimes they’re yellow . . .

at other times, they may be pink . . .

or even yellow and pink . . .

at times, they’re even white . . .

but whatever their color, I love roses . . .

not only for their beauty,

 but also for their fragrance . . .

This I recall to mind . . .

therefore I have hope . . . 

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, 

for His compassions (mercies) never fail.

They are new every morning.

Great is Your faithfulness, O Lord.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I have hope in Him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, 

to the person who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:21-25

Make me know Your ways, O Lord . . .

Teach me Your paths.

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, 

for You are the God of my salvation . . .

for You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5

Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth . . .

does not become weary or tired, His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly . . . 

yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength . . . 
they will mount up with wings like eagles . . .

they will run and not get tired . . . 

they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:28-31

*Most of the roses featured in this week’s post are growing in Werlein & T.J. Barnes’ rose garden. Mrs. Werlein is with Jesus now, but the beautiful rose bushes she loved and nurtured are still faithfully producing for our enjoyment.

And while I was snapping pictures of these beautiful roses, I couldn’t resist taking a few of Miss Lacy. She helps Mr. T.J. oversee the care of Mrs. Werlein’s roses and always has a smile for those who stop by for a visit.

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New Bible study at www.terimetts.com: Our God – There is No Other. Hope you’ll join me.

Visit me on Facebook: Author, Teri Metts or follow me on Twitter or Pinterest.

Until next week,

Resting in Him,

Teri

On Saturday, April 7, we invited the children of our church to our house for an Easter egg hunt and cook-out.

It was a beautiful spring day . . .

with pretty blue skies and highs in the mid-70′s

I made a point to snap at least one picture of each child in attendance . . .

because each one is uniquely special to me, and even more importantly, to our Lord.

And they were bringing children to Him (Jesus) so that He might touch them;

but the disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them . . . 

“Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them . . . 

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Truly I say to you . . . 

whoever does not receive the kingdom of heaven like a child will not enter it at all.”

And He took them in His arms and began blessing them . . . 

laying His hands on them. Mark 10:13-16

Behold, children are a gift from the Lord . . .

the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, 

so are the children of one’s youth. Psalm 127:3-4

Take time this week to hug the children in your life. All too soon, they’ll no longer be children.

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New Bible study at www.terimetts.com: Take Nothing for Granted. Hope you’ll join me.

Visit me on Facebook: Author, Teri Metts or follow me on Twitter or Pinterest.

Until next week,

Resting in Him, 

Teri

Or is that, Duck . . .

Duck . . .

Goose?

While visiting our oldest son and his family . . .

I had a great time photographing a family of Mallards . . .

as well as . . .

A pair of geese.

Loved watching these two. In this picture, he’s playing hard to get.

While here, it’s her turn. I imagine the conversation going something like this.

Him: “You sure are beautiful.” Her: “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

Sing praises to God, sing praises . . .

Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is King over all the earth . . . 

Sing praises with a skillful psalm. Psalm 47:6-7

 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength . . . 

 Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning . . . 

for You have been my stronghold . . . 

and a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my strength, I will sing praises to You . . . 

for God is my stronghold . . .

the God who shows me lovingkindness. Psalm 59:16-17

There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord . . .

nor are there any works like Yours.

For You are great and do wondrous deeds . . .

You alone are God.

Teach me Your way, O Lord . . . 

I will walk in Your truth. 

Unite my heat to fear Your name. 

I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart . . . 

And I will glorify Your name forever. Psalm 86:8-12

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New Bible study at www.terimetts.com: Come Boldly and Confidently. Hope you’ll join me.

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This quarter’s A Little Extra is titled Road Trip – A Picturesque Journey Across Five States. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to check it out.

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Until next week, 

Resting in Him, 

Teri

Oh yes, it’s that time of year again!

If you’ve been visiting my bungalow retreat for long . . .

you know how much I love taking pictures of flowers . . .

maybe as much if not more than I enjoy photographing birds.

And while I do not have a green thumb myself,

I’m thankful many of my neighbors do.

Because then I get to enjoy the fruits of their labors . . .

and so do you.

In recent weeks we’ve been enjoying an abundance of azaleas . . .

and irises . . .

Behold, the winter is past . . .

the flowers have already appeared in the land . . .

the time has arrived for pruning the vines. Song of Solomon 2:11-12

 I love wisteria. Maybe because purple is one of my favorite colors.

And I think these variegated azaleas are so elegant.

Many of you already know I call this wisteria covered cedar tree The Purple Mushroom. I photograph it every spring.

I will extol You, my God, O King . . .

And I will bless Your name forever and ever.

Every day I will bless You . . . 

And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised . . .

And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:1-3

Clematis – another one of my favorites! They’ve only just begun to bloom.

I’m sure if you are a frequent visitor to my bungalow retreat, you’ll be seeing more pictures of these beauties.

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, O Lord . . .

And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.

The Lord is good to all . . .

and His mercies are over all His works.

All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord . . .

and Your godly ones shall bless You. Psalm 145:5, 8-10

I hope you can spare a few minutes to join me for Bible study at www.terimetts.com.

This week we’re talking about Love’s Sweet-Smelling Aroma. 

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Also, I’ve posted something new over at A Little Extra: Road Trip — a picturesque journey across five states.

Until next week, 

Resting in Him,

Teri

After snapping pictures of a pair of redbirds . . .

sitting on the doggy yard fence . . .

I remembered I had quite a few photographs of birds (and one squirrel) sitting on fences . . .

and railings around our house.

And when I thought of some Biblical applications,

a bungalow retreat theme was born.

While fence sitting in the bird world is perfectly acceptable,

for believers, from God’s perspective, fence sitting is frowned upon.

No one can serve two masters . . .

for either he will hate the one and love the other, 

or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.

You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?

Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world . . . 

makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot . . . 

I wish that you were cold or hot.

So because you are lukewarm . . .

and neither cold nor hot . . .

I will spit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:16-17

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.

My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. James 3:8-10

How about you? Ever been guilty of doing a little fence sitting? Yeah, me too. But the wonderful news is we serve a forgiving God, a God of second chances. Let’s determine today to push away from that fence and jump in with both feet into a fully surrendered – I’m all in – relationship with our Lord.

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This week’s Bible study is called What IS That Smell? If you like flowering Bradford Pear trees, you don’t want to miss it! Lots of pictures. Check it out at www.terimetts.com 

Until next week,

Resting in Him, 

Teri

Oh Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the earth! Psalm 8:1

I spent the last two hours of a recent trip taking pictures of the clouds.

Earlier in the day it had been completely overcast,

but as the afternoon progressed, the sun started peeking through.

And what a breathtaking display that mixture of clouds and sunlight created.

As I studied the artistic design in each photograph . . .

I couldn’t help but think of God as the master sculptor.

And even if these cloud sculptures do not look like anything in particular,

I believe you’ll agree they are quite magnificent!

With moisture God loads the thick cloud . . . 

He disperses the cloud of His lightening.

It changes directions, turning around by His guidance . . . 

That it may do whatever He commands it . . . 

on the face of the earth.

Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds . . . 

the wonders of One perfect in knowledge? Job 37:11-12, 16

There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars . . .

and on earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves . . .

men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world;

For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads . . .

 because your redemption is drawing nigh.  Luke 22:25-28

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When it comes to experiencing God’s presence, How Thirsty are You? Hope you have time to join me for Bible study. www.terimetts.com 

Until next week,

Resting in Him, 

Teri