God is Faithful - Sheila Walsh

Kathy Troccoli Psalm 23

My life is in your hands-Kathy Troccoli

Kathy Troccoli's Draw Me Close

Michael W. Smith - Open the eyes of my heart

Treasures that 'touch' our hearts....... ;o)

People are 'treasures', families are 'our Treasures' of all Treasures.........

Since 'people' are certainly more impt. than 'things', this is a reason we can joyfully share photos of our family that GOD has given us. But as we know, it is 'not' impt. what the outside of the pkg. looks like, it is most impt. what is on the inside of the pkg., cause God's Word says 'what is on the inside is what will show on the outside'.........I Peter 3:3-4 outward & inward adornment. He also asks us to 'cleanse' the inside, so the 'outside' will be 'clean' also. Luke 11:39 and Matt.23:26
When we become a part of God's Family, making us HIS CHILD, we want to allow GOD to shine thru our lives to touch the lives of others for HIM.  Psalm 139, GOD created us, there is 'no' hiding from HIM.

Trees represent families with all our members. There is the main trunk, then there are the limbs and the leaves......hopefully we will not 'leave' our families when things are not as we would like them to be, instead we will 'choose' to nurture & love what belongs to our family tree. Showing God's love, will eventually make all the difference. God's kind of 'love' never gives up, it perseveres. Perseverence is a  wonderful quality....it helps us 'achieve' what looks impossible. But if we 'believe' God's Word, nothing is impossible with GOD, if it is His Will to be accomplished. Luke 1:37 For with God, nothing will be impossible. In that ch., Christ's birth is announced to Mary, a humble peasant girl, who will nuture in her body the Son of God, the HOLY ONE, that will be born to 'redeem our Souls'....... Even in 'old age', Mary's cousin & mentor was 'blessed with a child' by the LORD GOD. Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was in her 6th month of pregnancy, after 3 months of being with Elizabeth, Mary left to go to her own home. Elizabeth was a wonderful mentor to Mary as GOD asks 'older women' to mentor the younger women 'in the things of the Lord'. Titus 2:3-5
Hebrews 11:6 says 'it is impossible' to please GOD without FAITH in HIM'.  HEBREWS chap. 11 is the 'Faith' chapter.
This beautiful tree is growing on the grounds of LongWood Gardens in PA.
May U have a beautiful day, enjoying this season of 'Spring', knowing GOD is watching over you.......'truly', Toni :o)

Mother & son/ wonder of a butterfly

Daughter #3 is 'daughter' Kim married to our son.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the 'way he should go'......

This is a 'precious mommie' always taking time for her children. :o)  Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Mommie says to little 'Jacob', 'I love U sooo much' !! and U are sooo lucky, U get to stay with grandmom & pop pop......

Matthew 19:14 But  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to ME, and do not forbid them; for such

is the kingdom of heaven."

Time began in a Garden.. Garden of Eden - Genesis 2:8    

 SUNDAY aft. at Longwood Gardens

OH, the beauty of Spring.......new life, new creation, all around us, here in PA.  The "love of flowers' has followed our family from my grandmother to my mother, to ME (Toni), and to my daughters--Anita & Debbie.

My grandmother Pauline loved 'roses & african violets".........her facial features followed on to my mother, my mother's' facial features followed onto me (Toni), since I am 'now' the older gal in the family.

My grandmother Annie loved 'geraniums, morning glories, & begonias. I've devoloped the 'shape' of all 3 of them since I am older. Now, that I have reached the status of 'senior gal', I am learning to appreciate the beauty of 'older things'. :o)  Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :o)

daughters Debbie on left & Anita on right--"my girls"

OLD THINGS -- New USES

my Mother's old stew pot.....my mother is remembered for her love of flowers, plus many other things.....in our family we lovingly remember her beef stew: there was beef, carrotts, and seashell noodles inside this pot......so we kept this memory of 'my mom & her stew' ALIVE., by making a new use for an old pot....that would have died & vanished without use. So also, GOD takes us human beings, and gives us 'new life in CHRIST', WHEN we shed the OLD SELF & old life, and we also become new creatures in CHRIST.  II Corinthians 5:17   

May we all learn to see the beauty in old things, including old people. It takes a long time to get OLD, so look with respect at 'old things & old people'. There is 'great beauty' in being OLD, especially when we 'know' the Creator of our Souls !!!

SMILE, BEE HAPPY, BRING JOY to others, celebrate each day, cause This is the Day the Lord hath made !!!  PSALMS 118:24

Spring - GOD'S SON - SUN is SHINING

April 2010 
What a beautiful 'sunny SUNDAY', the LORD has given us !!! THIS 'IS' the day that the LORD hath made. :o). A 'sunny day' always reminds me of GOD'S precious SON - CHRIST JESUS, who 'arose from the DEAD', and is living forevermore, at the right hand of the Father.

The 'OLD Rugged Cross' (hymn)
On a hill far away stood an old  rugged CROSS, the emblem of suffering & shame. And I 'love' that old 'cross' where the dearest & best for a 'world of  "LOST  SINNERS" was SLAIN.
chorus -- So I'll CHERISH the old rugged CROSS, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged CROSS, and exchange it someday for a crown.
My husband Wayne, who can make anything out of anything, created this CROSS 4 the entrance to GOD'S Mountain, for the Easter season; a few days after the Resurrection, we turn the SIGN over to say, "HE is ALIVE 4 evermore"

Because of God's 'son' Jesus, there is a Faith Orchard. This Orchard sign is the entrance to a 'family homestead', named 'MYERS' Mountain', by our 3 children, when they were little. They named it after Walton's Mountain. Over the yrs., we as a family, came to truly see with our hearts the 'love of CHRIST' 4 each one of us.....so it is now, GOD'S Mountain !! As U enter the opening of the lane from the main rd., traveling up the steep hill, U suddenly see 4 acres of 'beautiful open land', with a house, an orchard & many blooming plants. It is our 'haven', from the world; quiet & peaceful. Our grown children have many fond memories of this place. But someday, we as a family will enter thru another entrance, into the gate of HEAVEN, which will be far more beautiful than this earthly piece of land !!!

We know we are going to that Heavenly place because of 'the CHRIST' shedding his blood on the CROSS 4 your sins & mine....Salvation by GRACE alone......we have chosen HIM & HIM alone to 'save'us for HEAVEN.

BECAUSE of Resurrection Sunday, CHRIST is ALIVE, GOD himself also chooses to give us 'new life' in the realm of  NATURE. Beauty is all around us.... II Corinth. 5:17 says we can have 'new life' also.....

Be thankful every day, that in PA we live with beautiful changes of 'seasons'  GOD is 'the GOD -ONE & ONLY', the creator of all that he paints for our eyes to behold....our spirits also behold the beauty, and bring GOD'S peace & joy into our hearts.

I am thankful also for the 'land of blogging', for each of us to be able to express ourself, and 4 the blessing of opening our hearts to each other. After a long winter, GOD has given us the 'joy of SPRING'...

 Possibly I will start writing more frequently, next time I will share photos of some 'new addtions' to Faith Orchard on GOD'S Mountain!!

Celebrate with JOY !!! 4 Life given to us......

a hymn --  "This is My FATHER'S WORLD"

And to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings 'the music' of the spheres. This is my Father's world !! I rest me in the thought of rocks & trees, of skies & seas. HIS HAND the wonders wrought.

New Life is Upon Us

I Peter 4: 8,9,10 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Let him who is 'without SIN' cast the first stone.....CHRIST JESUS..Gospel of John 8:7

John 8:3 The wind blows where it wishes, & U hear the sound of it, but cannot tell 'where' it comes from & 'where' it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit of God. From the 'quiet stillness' of  winter, comes the beauty of  'new life' in Spring.

So also GOD works in our 'spirit', gives us 'new life', if we leave the resting period of dormancy to allow GOD to bring New Life in our being......John 3: 1 thru 7, also v. 14 thru 17

  the  Majestic 'Maple', God's Mountain  swing, with grandson #3

grandson # 2 --Gospel John 1:12,13 those who 'believe' in God's SON, can become 'children of GOD', as in our hearts, we come to GOD as a CHILD.

OPEN the windows of your mind & heart to GOD'S TRUTH. Luke 24:44 thru 49

The dormancy of winter in PA, in GOD'S timing, brings forth the 'new life' of SRING.........

New Life is needed also in our spiritual lives........II Corinth. 5:17 -- GOD allows us to be made 'new creatures' in CHRIST........for this to happen we need the GOD head/ Trinity.....Father-Son-Holy Spirit,

Want to know more, consult a Christian Bible.......

After Winter Storms comes the Beauty of 'new life' in Spring

the Beauty of a SNOW BLIZZARD on GOD'S MOUNTAIN in PA. Grey & White Junco birds waiting in the 'big Majestic Maple' for a snack to keep their bodies' warm, in the frigid Feb. day...... their is beauty in every season, in every day....cause GOD is the Creator of ALL. A hymn says, 'His Eye is on the Sparrow, & I know HE WATCHES ME'

The 'doorway' to warmth & comfort. Just open the door & U will see........

There is another 'doorway' that needs to be opened...that is the 'door' of our heart, to allow CHRIST JESUS to come into our life. Then too, inside of us, will be warmth & comfort, peace & joy.There will be less worry about 'what happens' all around us, cause we will have the assurence of the Savior's watching over us..minute by minute, daily, no matter what the 'storm' around us may be.
Psalm 84-'Dwelling with GOD'

V.4 speaks of a 'sparrow', v. 10-12 speaks of GOD'S LOVING Protection over each human being that LOVES HIM.

To be a 'doorkeeper' in the House of my GOD is BETTER than 'all the RICHES this wicked world has to offer.

GOD created this mountain, He allowed us to name it, Myers' Mountain, so that we would 'proclaim' ONLY JESUS SAVES, no other under Heaven & earth.

One of GOD'S 'special gift's to us are our families, the love they show us when we need help. A precious grandson, says to himself, THIS is gonna be easier to 'SHOVEL' IF I PUSH SOME OFF FIRST !!!!! grandson #2 -middle name Wayne.

Today the 'first day' of Lent, or the Easter season.......a visual reminder of the 'Man of Sorrows', JESUS the Crucified One, was 'not in vain'. His love is sooo GREAT, he died that we would have 'life in HIM', HE ROSE AGAIN to be the 'world's only LIVING SAVIOR'  !!

LENT comes from the Anglo-Saxon 'lencten', which means 'SPRING', the time of the lengthening of the days. Lent also is a time of  'reflection & self examination' 4 all Christians. Lent lasts 40 days, not counting Sundays. Sundays are 'not' counted because Sun. always celebrates Jesus' victory over SIN & Death. So, all Sundays are 'EASTER or Resurrection Sunday' !!!

The beauty of a delicately woven bird nest, to remind us that all living creation has been created by HIM.  UNLESS we are 'born again', we cannot enter into the Kingdom of GOD. Gospel of John-ch.3- the New Birth--Jesus & Nicodemus.

In April of 1973, I 'chose' that NEW BIRTH. If U want to know more, U can email me.

Spring will be here in GOD'S TIMING, bursting with 'new life' all around us !!! SMILE, be at PEACE, the 'one' who watches after the Sparrow cares even much more for YOU. MATTHEW 6:25 to 34

BEGINNINGS & the 'GREATEST 'GIFT

Some 2,000 yrs. ago, the 'greatest gift' was given to us, as GOD'S GIFT. This wooden manger set was 'hand made' &  painted by 'one' of our 3 grown children & their family, to Mom & Dad for Christmas.....With GOD by our side, each new day, can be a 'new beginning'. In our culture, Jan. is the starting point for a new yr. Jan. is a perfect time to reflect on the Christmas season, and all that the Lord has planned for us in the coming yr. On Jan. 6, the Christian calender, celebrates Epiphany, which signifies Christ's being revealed to the world & the visit of the Wise Men, also the 'first' Gentiles to whom Christ was made known.

What BEAUTY there is in a 'snowy winter day',

the comfort of a warm home, the pleasure of good books.

Winter, the world of nature, is 'resting' in PA. GOD touches our hearts & eyes to see the 'beauty' in the bare trees, the snow covered ground. What pleasure GOD gives us in observing 'children' at play. I read recently that children do NOT have 'past or future' in their minds, they live for the 'day' to enjoy their play. Although we 'do know' that our 4 yr. old grandson, does remember the 'past', and thinks of the 'future', as well. Little ones have great memories, that sometimes amaze us as adults.

What JOY in preparing our homes for family & friends, and a meal to be shared together, another daily blessing from the LORD Himself......a table & chairs & food on the table. the Lord has answered our Prayer again, as He has given us 'our daily bread' , but 'we' cannot live on bread alone, but the Word of God is our spiritual food ...Gospel Matthew 4: 4, Jesus said, 'man shall NOT live by bread alone, but by every 'word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD.

We have had our Christmas celebration, the day after Christmas; we have had the JOY of  celebrating the love of CHRIST with our children & grandchilren; the 'gift' of each other, sharing the meal, gift giving, the 'joy & pleasure' of being with 'each other'......THANK YOU LORD JESUS...

.The family has now left, the chairs are empty, we sit  remembering our time as family, and that GOD 'allowed' us another 'CHRIST'MAS together. We have, all that we 'need', the Lord, our family, (each other), and friends.....the JOY of serving HIM each day, LIFE DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.......May our 'hearts' be wide open to see our 'daily blessings' AGAIN in 2010 !!!

December 2009 - the Light of Christ Jesus continues to SHINE

First 'annual' Tree Lighting Ceremony in Birdsboro. GOD'S LOVE brings the 'community of Birdsboro' & surrounding communities together, to witness the 'light of CHRIST'.

It is 'true' that a 'PICTURE' is worth a thousand words, so for the month of  Dec., words will be limited

Dec. is the month, Christians celebrate the birth of the CHRIST child, that is all that needs to be said 4 Dec..  Beautiful STAR of BETHLEHEM - SHINE upon us until the glory of dawn. For Jesus is now that STAR divine, Brighter & brighter HE will SHINE. Beautiful STAR of Bethlehem 'shine on' . (stanza #6)

On this 'blog' you will see a CHRISMON tree, showing Christian symbols. The 'evergreen tree' represents the everlasting prescense & everlasting love of GOD, thru CHRIST JESUS, His SON. Also shown is a grandfather & a grandson preparing to bring an 'evergreen' indoors, a baby in a crib, a throne with a crown on the seat, representing the 'return' of CHRIST JESUS again, we don't know when, it could be 2010, but then again, GOD tells us in His Word, we  do not know when; we are to 'watch' our lives & be 'ready' for THEN. Children are an 'expression' of GOD'S LOVE,

May we come into GOD'S PRESENCE, with 'Worship & Praise', for all of our days, he has given us. May our days be used to Glorify Him, in the 'ordinary' of everyday. The ordinary may seem 'small' to us, but to HIM, the ordinary, is 'not small' at ALL !!! Psalm 90:12 - Teach us O Lord to number our days so that we may grow in Wisdom. Psalm 90, a 'prayer of  Moses to GOD'.  Our lives are 'not' about US, but about bringing the 'FOCUS' on GOD' !!!

Giving Thanks 4 Ancestors & Today's Generation

Giving THANKS on  Thanksgiving 2009 for Ancestors, Baggage & All    

                                             This Thanksgiving 2009, without my maternal ancestors, would NOT have been mine.......as the saying goes, 'we bring our baggage' with us, some we need to get rid of. Our 'ancestors' literally, did bring their 'baggage' with them to this country of USA.....literally, that was ALL they had to bring.

My  ancestors, from maternal side, came from Poland to Ellis Island in Nov. 1902, the sky was sooo 'blue' and they had a song to 'sing', because they were finally in the U.S.A., the land of the Free, and the 'home' of the Brave, where the USA FLAG did wave !! They had made it to the " Land of HOPE", hope for a better future for theirselves & their family !!All they had were the clothing on their back & their baggage in hand !! It took 'bravery' to get them here. To think of what they went through , should bring many a tear....Ellis Island is called, the "Island of Hope, Island of  Tears". Ellis Island is 'where' the OLD world met the NEW.......Immigrants, including my great grandparents 'adopted' the U.S.A. as their 'new home' !!!  I have been adopted also, by a Jewish Carpenter named JESUS. HE has allowed me to be HIS CHILD....I now have an 'old nature' & a NEW nature. The 'new nature' comes from being a 'child of GOD'.....AND my 'Adopted HOME' will someday be HEAVEN. O, what GLORY & BEAUTY will be there !!  Revelation 21 & 22 tells of a 'New Jerusalem' that will be born out of the 'previous Heaven"

I am 'very thankful' that our 'first born' daughter was able & willing to take me to Ellis Island, to see the 'Island of Hope' where my grandparents & greatgrandparents came by Ship from Poland. The bronze statue, to the right,  is of a 14 yr.old Irish girl who was the 'very first' Immigrant to enter the U.S.A. at Ellis Island.      Below, is another 'blessing' we are thankful 4, is 'youngest'  grandson........we took him 4 a walk after Thanksgiving dinner, PopPop & Grandmom. He loves all kinds of animals, bugs, all of nature, it seems, spiders & salamanders........this is a 'child in awe of GOD'S creation' !!!    He found 'grasshopper Haven' in Parkesburg, after Thanksgivng dinner.   It was 'his treasure' to behold !!

Ancestors leaving the 'old world', for the U.S.A.

I have an IRISH daughter in law, must ck. Ellis Isl. site 4  her ancestors, sometime.

Matthew 19:14 CHRIST JESUS said, Let the 'little children' come unto me, do not forbid them, for of such , is the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3 - Jesus said, Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted & become as little children, you will by no means, enter the 'kingdom of Heaven'. v.4,5........also 1 John 3: 1-3 -children of GOD - Psalm 127:v.3 - behold, children are a hertage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is reward.  Psalm 127 is a mere 5 verses of instruction  from GOD.

Raking leaves on God's Mountain

This is HOW a 4 yr. old likes to RAKE leaves.......

The huge Maple out front gives us 'lots' of leaves on the lawn each Fall. The great abundance of leaves is enough to make a huge 'jumping pile' for kids to enjoy. As far back as I remember, each of our grandchildren 'enjoyed' jumping in those leaf piles, provided by our beautiful Maple. The 'MAPLE' is soooo beautilful, I should have given it a NAME a long time ago. So on this date, Nov.20, I 'name' the 'maple' MAJESTY.
Outside of a church I pass, close by to my home, is a SIGN on their lawn which says; FALL LEAVES us, but JESUS 'NEVER' LEAVES us !!! (how appropriate for this season)
JESUS 'is ' the reason even 4 the Fall season; after much inhumane torture at Calvary, HE 'FELL' to the ground for US,
I came across a wonderful web site today for Nature lovers, it is by someone in the Netherlands.
The web site is http://moremirthquake.blogspot.com
I will leave 'you' with the thought of LEAVES & LEAVING things behind. Some of us need to 'leave behind' our FEARS.
 PROVERBS 9:10 tells us The FEAR of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the HOLY ONE is understanding.
Will leave U also, with the cliche that is soooo TRUE; enjoying life is enjoying the SIMPLE THINGS in life, the beauty all around us that GOD provides !!!
The colored 'text' is for the many colors of the Fall season.....
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving........remembering our many daily Gifts from GOD.
A saying I have seen often is 'you can't CHOOSE your family, but U can CHOOSE your friends'.
Well, in the 'soverienty' of our GOD, who created everything.........I just recently saw a positive family comment'.......It is:
We didn't get to CHOOSE our family, cause they are GOD'S GIFT to us !!!
Families are 'used' of GOD to teach us many things, one of which is, 'how to LOVE'.
Families teach us 'GOD'S' KIND of LOVE..........forgivness, mercy, grace, all the attributes of  GOD.    
My closing thoughts are: NEVER 'leave' GOD, & NEVER 'leave' your family.

GOD'S Myers Mountain & Faith Orchard photos

hello again, I do 'not' intend on making this a 'daily blog'. I have a 'tendency' to write so much, that I'm not leaving space for photos to be shared.

Oct. 31, 2009 - All "Hallows' Eve'

dear  'family & friends',
Please 'bear' with me, I am still 'transitioning' to this new venture of Blogging, not LOGGING, but BLOGGING !!  I may take up 'LOGGING' next yr., but for now I have my plate full with 'blogging'  ;o) !!
I have changed my BLOG title to TREASURES on GOD'S MOUNTAIN, instead of Thoughts from Toni on God's mountain.  I decided to 'not' put my name in the title. So I hope that will clear up any confusion I have caused. I am still trying to get rid of the 'original' title on my blog......;o(
I would like to finish what I said in the first blog, I was about 2 yrs. old when my 'dad' returned from WWII, I then had to 'transition' from not having my 'daddy' to having one. My father had to 'transition' from being in 'combat' for our country, to being 'free' to be at HOME with his wife & little daughter. He carried with him, the 'scars' of WAR, many were his nightmares. Remember to PRAY 4 those men & women, protecting countries at this time.
Today is 'All Hallows Eve', not really Halloween......... in God's Word, the word 'hallow' is a synonym 4 the word, 'sanctify'.  The prayer that many of us know, the OUR FATHER, uses the word 'HALLOWED be Thy Name',  O Lord
Back to speaking of MYERS' Mountain & Faith Orchard. We have gone thru much 'transitioning' on this MOUNTAIN. One of those transitions, was our 3 children growing up & leaving home to start their own lives. There is a 'huge red Maple tree' outside our dining rm. window. It is sooo gorgeous at any season of the yr.  There hangs a simple flat bd 'swing' on that tree, that my 'creative husband' made. That swing represents 'our children' & now our GRANDCHILDREN' !!!