Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 1 Comment

Sunday Inspiration…

IMG_1064

A Collage of Verses which Guide me for your Sunday Inspiration

‘You are His Masterpiece…’ Ephesians 2:10

There is only one you- you are an incredible work of art-  a Masterpiece! You have gifts to offer us that no one else has; things only you can do for mankind. Please remember this, we need you. Bless our world with what only you can bring to us.

‘Do not neglect the gift which is in you…practice, cultivate and meditate upon your gift…throw yourself wholly into them…look well to yourself, your own unique personality…persevere in these things…hold to them as if your very life depends on it..’ 1 Timothy 4:14-16

Your best life depends on the gifts that are within you! What we do with our lives is not even half as important as what we become. Live wholeheartedly using your own unique personality, for in truth? Your very life depends on how you choose to live it each day.

‘I am calling up memories of your sincere faith, passed down to you from your grandmother and your mother- reminding you to stir up your gifts, re-kindle the embers, fan the flames… keep the inner fire burning of the gracious gifts of God that are in you… 2 Timothy 1:6

If you don’t know where to start? Get historical– remember that which was done well with passion from the most creative places within you- when your inner fire was burning and what came out of the forge was useful and beautiful. Don’t allow the gracious gifts of God within you to simmer on the backburner. The world needs every gracious gift only you can bring.

For God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced mind, of discipline and self control.’ 2 Timothy 1:6-7

God has not given you a spirit of fear! Anyone or anything who provokes fear in your heart- is not from God. Those who would stir up fear render us helpless and unsettled. Self controlled, loving, calm and well balanced minds are powerful forces for good. What will you choose? Fear? or Calm and Well Balanced Minds? Use those qualities as a yardstick to measure character.

 ‘Let no foul or polluting language, unwholesome or worthless talk come out of your mouth; but only beneficial to the progress of others, as is fitting to the need and of the occasion, that it may be a blessing to those who hear it.’ Ephesians 4:29

‘Let all bitterness and indignation, wrath, rage, bad temper, resentment, anger and quarreling, contention, slander and abusive language be banished from you, with all malice, spite, ill will of any kind- And become useful, helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted, compassionate, understanding, and forgiving with loving kindness as God in Christ forgave you’.  Ephesians 4:31-32

Words are powerful– spoken or written- either cause bruises or heal them- your choice. Folks that get others ‘riled up and angry’ or folks that help us ‘settle down and be hopeful’; these are two more measures of mankind for me- Learn along with me to reject angry voices- Heated, mean spirited quarrels have never built a better mankind.

‘Whatever your task, work at it heartily- from the soul, as something done for God…making the very most of your time…’ Colossians 3:23 and 4:5

No matter what-make the very most of your time. Live wholeheartedly, life is too short for  halfheartedly living, accepting the mediocre is unacceptable. Make the very most of your time.

‘Love one another, as I have loved you…By this shall all men know that you are My Disciples, if you have love one toward another.’  John 13: 34-35  

I hope you have stayed with me- this is the most important of all of the verses! Read it again- ‘by this shall all men know you are Mine’… There it is! The Distinquishing Mark! This is: how you will know what is authentic and what is a poor imitation of almost anyone. How we view others, how well we treat other human beings says everything about true character.  All of us are human beings- far too many are broken, beaten down by life and shattered dreams. The true test of our humanity is how well we show love to one another. This old world is heavy handed- hardened and sore in too many places… How much better would the world be if we chose to walk softly and leave that big stick behind? Look for the distinquishing mark, the engravings…resolve to live your best life, make the most of your time, use your words carefully, keep the measuring tape with you and don’t forget what a masterpiece you are!

 Love y’all, Camellia

IMG_1066

*The beautiful beginning and ending scenes- were photographed at the lovely Hotel St. Francis in the historic district of Santa Fe, New Mexico- a very inspiring place to be.

*Verses originate from the KJV-Amplified Version of the Bible.

 

 

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 4 Comments

Glorious July Miracles…

IMG_1161

Just when the heat of July slows me down to a southern drawl… a miracle happens. It sneaks up on me every year. When hydrangea blossoms look like tight pincurls, when roses sulk- fed up with the humidity; the front porch ferns whine for church fans and ice water; even impatiens lay down their heads and weep…that’s when the Glory Bower trees quietly begin to bloom.

Hummingbird wings whir around her. Butterflies flitter on her pale green shoulders. Fat bumblebees stir slowly around her like plump fairy godmothers- coaxing the lacy summer ballgown onto Glory. Her ladies in waiting, the Crepe Myrtles, have on shocking pink and raspberry corsages. But Glory is a real Southern Belle, never breaks a sweat, not one bead of perspiration. Glory Bower trees put down deep roots- they are my sweet homebodies, staying close to the windows so I can chaperone and gaze as the Miracle of July unfolds.

IMG_1167

 

When every other flowery thing begins to close up shop for harvest, the Glory Bower is just getting started; dabbed with honeysuckle fragrance, she’s a subtle reminder of another July Miracle– one that got her start, early one sunny summer morning in July. Like the Glory Bower she seems to thrive on sunshine but her real secret is her deep roots close to home. A fifth generation southern belle of St. Clair County, she is named for her father and grandfather. She is a true miracle. Before her mother turned twenty the doctors said she would never bear a child. After seven long years of waiting…this child was born, a true blue miracle. Even the doctors said to her momma and daddy- ‘Take her home and enjoy her, you’ll never have another one.’ She was so tiny, her long name didn’t seem to fit so she was nicknamed for the southern sunshine she was born under. Her momma sang ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ as she rocked her miracle on the porch swing. Her daddy played his guitar and sang his baby girl to sleep to-‘You are My Sunshine’. The pediatrician noted the baby hardly had a hair on her head but made up for it by having the longest eyelashes he had ever seen; a neighbor said- ‘It’s a sign of good breeding when a baby is bald headed’…her momma just smiled and made batiste bonnets with ruffles and lace.

image

She could talk before she could walk at ten months! She was a born teacher-lining up dolls and stuffed toys, she would ‘teach school’ when she was barely three years old. Her teachers  remarked that her ‘sunny name’ suited her just right! Always an honor student, with a beautiful voice that was rivaled only by her skill on the clarinet, she was voted, ‘Friendliest’ in high school, and graduated with full honors from college, before earning her masters degree in education. She grew up so fast her parents felt as if she blinked her long eyelashes and was all grown up! She has taught hundreds of school children how to read and to love school like she always did. She is a fine Southern lady and a wonderful teacher! Camellia’s Cottage can’t imagine life around here without children in it- we’re glad she’s one of them.

If you ever find yourself wondering if God still performs miracles just look to the Glory Bower tree, which miraculously blooms so cool and sweet in the heat of a July summer and remember our July miracle.  Today’s her birthday, join us in wishing her a day filled with sunshine, the faint fragrance of honeysuckle and perhaps a gentle rain…

Love y’all, Camellia

p.s. Those doctors don’t always know everything… 21 months after this miracle? Another miracle baby girl was born on a sweet day in May! Believe in miracles, watch for them…they are all around you! Can I get a Glory Hallelujah?

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 22 Comments

Think on these things…

... RainBows Pictures Free Download || Wonderful Rainbow Images Free

As we were driving a lovely backroad from Nashville we heard more bad news- again from Baton Rouge. Bad reports, bloodshed and heartaches put a bruise on the soul. We had just spent five days immersed in some of the most amazing music- music that was pure and lovely. You cannot imagine what good, hours of music will do to your soul. As I heard reports of more violence, more deaths- ‘How can I keep some of the music in my mind?’ Portions of a Bible verse kept coming and going…from Phillipians 4:8

‘…whatsoever things are pure…whatsoever things are lovely…think on these things.’

 Tommy Emmanuel, who is quite possibly the greatest living guitarist- played four days throughout the Chet Atkins event we attended. His energy, his love of life come through his guitar and his winning smile…We spoke with him briefly- it is obvious that he thinks on lovely things! He ends his concerts with this-

‘It’s never too late- to live happily ever after.’

This song, was written by Harold Arlen, for the film-‘The Wizard of Oz’. In the 1970’s it was played beautifully by Chet Atkins. Arranged and adapted by Tommy Emmanuel, this beautiful version- also helps me ‘think on pure and lovely things’.

It is not a short piece- however, if your mind is sore from nonstop bad news, perhaps you will take a few minutes to listen as …‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ is played by Tommy Emmanuel, and ‘think on pure and lovely things’ then feel in your heart- ‘it’s never too late to live happily ever after’.

Love y’all, Camellia

 

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 11 Comments

Amazing Grace…

image

On the day of our departure from New York City, last spring- the morning was dreary and damp- our hotel was a mere half block from St. Patrick’s Cathedral- I peered out the window facing the great Rockefeller Center and could see that our block had been cordoned off by New York City Police Officers- a crowd huddled under umbrellas was forming…I heard a solitary bass drum and then the bagpipes. I motioned for my husband to come to the window. We watched as a funeral procession came solemnly down the street- right in front of our hotel. We could see the bagpipers and the drummers in dark coats with frilled shirts and dark watch plaid kilts followed by a crowd of mourners…one spot was missing in the line of bagpipers… Amazing Grace was being played solemnly and mournfully- but with an haunting beauty. Silently awed, we watched them go by, mourners oblivious to the dreary damp weather. The processional was for a fallen New York City Policeman. The Power of the Song, Amazing Grace never fails…

My husband is a guitarist, for many years he has gone to nursing homes to play for the residents. Instrumentally, he gently plays this great song- Amazing Grace. The first time he was asked to play for an Alzheimer’s Unit, he decided to do his regular list of songs…the residents sat still and unresponsive, until… softly he began to play Amazing Grace. One by one- the residents stirred, became alert and some began to sing. I want to cry every time I think of it- minds that have grown dim and dark are enlightened for a few brief moments by Amazing Grace. Down through these many years now- my husband has continued to play for these units- and every. single. time- Amazing Grace has had the same effect.

Where bitterness is shed abroad in this poor bleeding world, hardened by hatred, stumbling from blunder to blunder, the earth is punctured with even more graves this week. We grieve and  we wonder how to recover common sense, much less common courtesy. As hatred rears it’s ugly head, when evil seems to triumph- when events beyond human comprehension happen- the one thing that seems to shine through the broken shards of humanity- is the beautiful stained glass of God’s Love and Amazing Grace.

I have no answers, no wisdom to bestow- all I know for sure, is that we must lift up our hands as the spires of cathedrals toward heaven– find a way to be ministers of peaceful mercy and ambassadors of His Amazing Grace. If each of us will do what we can to live together as people who have been forgiven a great debt- if we will walk gently among those who have suffered; resolve within ourselves- not to add one more ounce of suffering or cause one needless tear to flow, perhaps, the world will rest a little easier. Will you listen with me to Andre Rieu’s dramatic, awe inspiring rendition of Amazing Grace, in honor of the injured and fallen police officers in Dallas?  May God have mercy on us and strengthen our resolve to bring His Grace, Mercy and Peace to a suffering world.

Love y’all, Camellia

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 5 Comments

Miraculous Staircase…

image

I have been in some of the great cities of this great country and always I go to the great Sanctuaries. Santa Fe is no exception, the St. Francis Basilica is gorgeous and inspiring- however, sitting beside the great cathedral is a small Gothic chapel, thought to be the first of that type architecture west of the Mississippi, the Loretto Chapel. Our Lady of Light Chapel was modelled after Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and was constructed in the 1870’s to serve as a chapel for the Loretto Academy for young women, operated by the Sisters of Loretto.

A serious design flaw was discovered after construction- the tiny chapel had not included a staircase to the choir loft. To install one would decrease the seating capacity and seriously affect the beauty of the design. It was suggested that the young women could ascend a ladder to sing, however this would have not been proper or safe.. The Sisters sought Divine Guidance by calling for a Novena to their patron saint, Saint Joseph, the Carpenter. For nine days they prayed. Upon the ninth day, the last of the Novena, a mysterious carpenter appeared, who called himself Jose. He said he had come to design and build a circular staircase to the choir loft.

He arrived with a donkey loaded with only three tools- a hammer, a saw and a T square; and tubs in which to soak the wood. The stairway has 33 stair treads in two full 360 degree turns with no center support, nor is it held with any side supports, the full weight rests on the bottom tread. Testing throughout the years has revealed no nails, no pegs and no glue were used in the construction. Further, as science as progressed- the wood has been tested; recent tests revealed- the staircase does not appear to be constructed of any known type of wood found in the entire world.image

Upon completion, the mysterious carpenter disappeared, without seeking payment. No records could be found by the Sisters for the purchase of the wood or any building materials. The carpenter was never found. Engineers, architects, scientists and historians marvel at the design, the materials and construction techniques employed; there is no known duplication of the design of the staircase-though extensive research has been done throughout the years. The only modification was to add a handrail ten years after construction. A movie was made of the.Miraculous Staircase and books have been written. Every effort seems to have been made to disprove the miracle.

image

However, I have been there more than 3 times- though I am no scientist or theologian-I can attest to the fact that I have felt something holy, something miraculous, something undetermined by my human mind whenever I have seen it. The Chapel of Loretto is privately owned, it no longer belongs to the Catholic Church. For this staircase to have remained instead of being destroyed when it was sold, for it to have survived for almost 150 years and withstood the scrutiny of those who would wish to dispel it’s origins, is miraculous. To stand in awe of it, is to stand in the presence of what I have come to thoroughly believe is a true miracle, wrought by an Holy God through a mysterious Carpenter Who Heard and Answered the fervent prayers of His Own. I am blessed to have been a witness to the beauty of Loretto Chapel and the Miraculous Staircase.image

Weddings and Special Services are still held at Loretto Chapel, the staircase is roped off but was used well into the 20th century. All donations to the Loretto Chapel go toward the retirement funds for the Sisters of Loretto, the Chapel of Light. I hope you are inspired by these unretouched photographs of the Miraculous Staircase. Have a Blessed Lord’s Day. It’s a Day to believe in Miracles, I do…I hope you do too.

Love y’all, Camellia

Miraculous Staircase books and movies found on Amazon.com

http://www.lorettochapel.com for more information