Poem Little Birds of God ~ Free Graphics

Her name was Annie Johnson Flint (1866 - 1932), the author of the poem below. She knew of burdens, the need for courage, she knew of just asking the Lord for the strength for the day.  Her Poetry and Hymns were written from her own experiences and adversities.  

Annie was known as the “poet of helpfulness”, and often gave her poetry as gifts to friends.  As her poems became more widely known, many were set to music.   I have previously written about Annie, and you can find that here:  Annie Johnson Flint

THE LITTLE BIRDS OF GOD

by Annie Johnson Flint

I HEAR them at my window in the late, gray winter dawn,
The little birds of God, the farthing sparrows of His care;
They ask of me, as I of Him, His gift of daily bread.
With soft, impatient twitterings they voice their morning prayer.


The heavenly Father feedeth them, the little birds of God,
Though ’tis my hand that scattereth the food within their reach;

I do but share His bounty when I give the crumbs to them.
doubting heart and anxious heart, what lessons they can teach!

They sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns,
Content if but each day shall bring the day’s supply of food;
No question whence it comes, nor if the morrow bringeth more
Small optimists in feathers, who are sure that all is good!

God seeth when they fly or fall. Am I less worth than they?
I would not fail them in their need. Is He less true than I?
I would not mock their faith in me, nor hurt them, nor betray;
I answer to their trusting call, He to His children’s cry.

When sunset tints the fading light and dusk is falling fast,
The while I draw the curtains close and stir the hearth-fire bright,
I hear their cheerful chirping, the little birds of God,
And wonder to what shelter they are fleeing for the night.

But they, as I, shall rest secure beneath the wings of Love,
Though storm and darkness sweep the sea and cover all the land.
My life and theirs, so small and frail, God’s care of both the same;
My soul a nesting bird within the hollow of His hand.

Free Victorian Trade Cards

Victorian Trade Card advertising Sewing Machines

During the Victorian era, people enjoyed collecting advertising cards, which were often very colorful. Today, they are known as trade cards. It was the major way of advertising products, and could be obtained in stores or through salesmen. They were very popular from the late 1800’s until the early 1900’s, when advertising in magazines became more cost effective.  The women spent some of their time pasting their treasured cards in a scrapbooks.

My daughter found one of these treasured Victorian scrapbooks and surprised me with it on my birthday last year. Here is a page from that scrapbook.

Here are a few other Victorian advertising cards, it's fun to read the claims they make. Seems like they could take care of about any problem you had.

Burdock Blood Bitters claims to make pure healthy blood and regulate the female organs, cures female weakness, nervous and general debility, and all the distressing miseries from which two-thirds of the women of America suffer.

Blood Bitters Advertisement

If you had a problem that Blood Bitters couldn't cure, there was always Dr. Thomas Electric Oil. You can see the claims below. I would have been in on the 2 hour backache cure if I lived in the Victorian era.

I hope you've enjoyed today's post. You're welcome to use the images in your artwork or on your blogs/webpages.  Did you notice my new blog look? I'm quite pleased with it and hope you like it as well. If you are receiving this post via email, you can view my blog here: http://littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/

Have a lovely day.

Peace

God's peace is like a river, not a pond.
 In other words, a sense of health and well-being
can permeate our homes
even when we're in white-water rapids. 
~ Beth Moore ~

 

These things I have spoken to you,
 that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
 but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Some of This & Some of That

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:

 thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: 

forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Psalm 138:8

I have a winner to announce for my final Scripture Thursday Linky party.  Congratulations to Jennifer from My Cubby Crafts.  You have won a set of digital scripture cards that I designed.   As I wrote in my last post, I will no longer be continuing the Linky party part of Scripture Thursday, but will continue with the devotion each week.

I have a few free vintage graphics for you today, but wanted to tell you a few things first.

I have added a new page to my blog, featuring various linky parties that you may be interested in. 

If you're a mom, grandmother, caregiver, or have a heart for moms and their children, check out my new facebook page Little Birdie Blessings for Moms.  You'll find a place that gears to moms looking for encouragement and help in matters of the family and home.  Feel free to "like" if you're interested in following it.  

Click on image to view new facebook page

 With the fourth of July coming up soon, you may be looking for some patriotic graphics.  Look no further.  Check out what Emily has to offer over at Sweetly Scrapped.  You'll be amazed.  Click on the flag below to view the rest of them.

Click on flag for more Patriotic Graphics by Sweetly Scrapped

 

Here are a couple vintage graphics for you from my collection. 
Hope you enjoy them.

Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.
John Wesley

 

 I hope you have a wonderful day.  Remember to count your blessings.

 

Scripture Thursday #31 ~ Balancing Priorities

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village:
and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord,
dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.    And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha,
 thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful:
and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
  Luke 10:38-42 (KJV)

It was an Easter morning two years ago that I couldn’t make up my mind what to do.  I had family arriving that would follow us home right after church.  Easter Dinner was at our house and there were preparations still to be made before their arrival.  I had a narrow window of opportunity to attend to some last minute details.  Another church was using our church building to put on the annual Easter breakfast that morning.  My husband is the pastor of the church, but it wasn’t OUR church putting it on, they were just using our church.  Surely, I wasn’t expected to attend?   In fact, they probably wouldn’t even realize I was missing.

free vintage graphic

The church is about 100 feet from our home, the Parsonage.  The parking lot started to fill up with cars.  My husband called to me as he left for the church “are you coming?”  I told him to just go ahead, I hadn’t decided yet.   In a quandary, I was torn between doing what I really knew was the right thing and what I knew I “needed” to attend to.   I couldn’t do both, and needed to make a decision.  Time was running out as the church parking lot was full now.  

I stood in front of the bathroom mirror drying my hair and in utter exasperation, called out to the Lord over the noise of the hairdryer “I don’t know what you want me to do.  What should I do???”  As soon as I had uttered those words it was as if an audible voice spoke to me and I distinctly heard “MARY AND MARTHA”.   The answer to my quandary became crystal clear.  As you can imagine, it didn’t take me long to walk the 100 feet to the church and join my husband.  I had a wonderful time, saw people I don’t get to see often, and would have missed out on an incredible blessing that morning.

Martha loved the Lord wholeheartedly but on this occasion she didn’t use the best judgment and was distracted by all that needed to be done.   Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) believed that Martha’s mistake wasn’t her serving, but rather that she allowed it to distract her attention from Jesus. Spurgeon believed that we should be Martha and Mary in one. He wrote, “We should do much service, and have much communion at the same time. For this we need great grace. It is easier to serve than to commune.”

Digital Scripture Page ~ Free for Personal Use

Work, hobbies, volunteering, helping others, even church obligations – those are all important and good things, but if we become so obsessed or busy with the tasks that it distracts us from a relationship with God, something has to change.   Sometimes, you need to say no to good things so you have room for the best things.  Join me in asking God to help us see the proper order of our daily priorities.    

 

Here is a link to a free pdf book by RBC Ministries – Mary & Martha:  Balancing Life’s Priorities

Graphics used in today’s post are from my own collection, public domain, Starsunflower Studio, Sweetly Scrapped, and The Feathered Nest. 

Compliments of   The Feathered Nest

This post is linked to:  Domestically Divine Tuesday, Whatever You Want Wednesday, Titus2uesdays, Think on These Things, Women in the Word Wednesdays, Hearts 4 Home Thursday, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Scripture Sunday, Proverbs 31 Thursdays, Monday Musings

Another Sweet Image for You

God shields us from most of the things we fear,
but when He chooses not to shield us,
He unfailingly allots grace in the measure needed.
It is for us to choose to receive or refuse it. 
Our joy or our misery will depend on that choice.

Elisabeth Elliot

Free Victorian Advertising Card

Here's another sweet Victorian advertising card for you.  The quote above is by Elisabeth Elliot, a fascinating, Godly woman.  Click on her name to find out more about her.  

Click here for this week's Scripture Thursday Linky Party.  

I'm working on my 200 follower giveaway, stay tuned.  I hope you have a delightful day.

 

Free Images ~ Friends ~ and a Verse to Remember

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23

Okay... is this Victorian trade card not the most adorable thing you've seen in a long time.  When I saw it, the verse at the top of this post came to mind immediately.   This little girl may not be very happy about her chores, but we're reminded in Colossians 3:23 that WHATEVER we do, do it  HEARTILY for the Lord.

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines the word HEARTILY as:

from the heart
with all the heart
with sincerity

with zeal
actively

vigorously
eagerly
freely

Are you getting the picture?  I am, and certainly this post is as much for me as any of my readers.  To help me visually remember this verse, I've added it to this sweet Victorian card as a reminder that whatever I do, is for the Lord.  

My friend Pat who faithfully attends a Bible study I have in my home, is an avid reader of my blog and always has an encouraging word.  She knows that vintage images are near and dear to me and surprised me not long ago with a stack of THE sweetest Victorian cards.   When she gave them to me, she said I can't wait to see what you do with them.  The sweet graphic above comes from Pat's gift to me.   

My friend Pat ~  a woman after God's own Heart

Pat knows what it's like to heartily work for the Lord.  She graciously, tenderly, compassionately, and unselfishly cares every day and night for her husband who suffers from dementia.   She is a very giving person and opens her home once a week to a sewing group.  She knits socks (I have 2 pairs) and gives them away, makes jam, cans veggies from her garden, tends flowers, is a prayer warrior and loves the Lord with all her heart.   I am thankful that she is part of my life, one of God's blessings to me.  

Have a wonderful weekend my friends.  I'm delighted that you've stopped by to visit.   

Scripture Thursday ~ The Greatest of These

And now abide faith, hope, love,

these three;

but the greatest of these is love.

I Corinthians 13:13

Free Heart Graphic from Vintage Quilt

 

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner.  I thought I’d revive this scripture from a previous post.  I Corinthians 13 is known as the LOVE chapter in the Bible. 

My daughter and her husband have two little boys aged 2 and 3 years old.  Being blessed with grandchildren, I have the privilege of a first-hand experience watching them interact.  I’m fascinated by the fact that love seems to be a natural instinct which starts from infancy.  

my sweet grandsons

 Although the boys have their “moments”, usually about sharing..... for the most part they have genuine love and concern for each other.   The older boy teaching his younger brother how to wash his hands the right way, comforting him when he cries, hugging him when they haven’t seen each other for a period of time, speaking for him if necessary.   The same goes for my youngest grandson who comforts his older brother if he’s crying, and shows he cares in many different ways.  

In I John 3:18, we’re told:  

My little children, let us not love in word,

neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Just this past week the boys woke up to find it had rained overnight and melted the snow.   Their conversation went like this as they looked out the window.

Little one:  “Where Snow?”

Older brother:  “It melted”

Little one:  “Get it!”

Older Brother:  "We can't get it. It's in the sky and we can't reach it. Only God can reach it. He'll throw some more down to us soon."

 

If you have little ones, nurture them to love one another, and nurture them to love God.  What they learn when they are young will carry with them to their teenage years and on to adulthood.  The simplest childhood song which you all probably remember, Jesus Loves Me was written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827 - 1915).  

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me–
The Bible tells me so.

Free Victorian Calling Card

As Valentine’s day approaches, and we think about LOVE, try to have the faith of a child and realize that Jesus loves YOU unconditionally.   

Free Vintage Valentine Postcard

He knows the number of hairs on your head
(see Luke 12:7)

He knows every tear you shed and stores them in a bottle
(see Psalm 56:8)

His thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand
(see Psalm 139:17-18)

That’s LOVE!!

Here’s a poem titled Someone Cares, by my favorite poet, Helen Steiner Rice

Someone cares and always will,
The world forgets but God loves you still,
You cannot go beyond His love
No matter what you're guilty of
For God forgives until the end,
He is your faithful, loyal friend,
And though you try to hide your face
There is no shelter any place
That can escape His watchful eye,
For on the earth and in the sky
He's ever present and always there
To take you in His tender care
And bind the wounds and mend the breaks
When all the world around forsakes...
Someone cares and loves you still
And God is the Someone who always will!
~Helen Steiner Rice~

 

I have made a digital freebie for your personal use.  The scripture WORDart is by Karen at Papercraft Memories.  

Free for personal use

 

  Love the comments, keep them coming. 

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, 
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

TRUST =  assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, 

or truth of someone or something: one in which confidence is placed.

ALL =  the whole amount, quantity, or extent of, as much as possible.

As I was thinking about this scripture, a life verse for many. I compared the kind of trust Jesus is looking for, to that of a child. During the first few years of life, children who receive warm loving care, are able to establish a sense of trust with their parents or caregivers. Without a doubt, they know they will be fed, changed and loved. It may not come in their timing, but they know it will happen. As they grow into the toddler years and venture out on mini explorations, they have the confidence to turn away from danger, and go back to the caregiver they trust, for reassurance and protection.

Children believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt that their caregiver will protect them and take care of them. That’s what Jesus wants from us. Never a doubt that He will be that caregiver for us and meet our needs. TRUST Him with complete confidence that He will do what is best for your life, He’ll guide you. He tells us in Isaiah 55:8, His ways are not our ways. Why? Because He’s all knowing. He knows our future. He sees the Master plan. Who better to put our trust in, than someone who knows us better than we know ourselves?

You can probably think of a time that you had a certain dilemma all figured out, God just needed to come through on His end. Well, He had a surprise for you didn’t He? He provided you with what you needed, but not in the way you expected it to happen. I think that’s His way of reminding us that He’s taking care of us.

In ALL our ways, everything we do, He wants us to acknowledge him. He’ll keep us on the path we need to go, we just need to TRUST and obey.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Old hymn written in 1887 ~ Trust and Obey

I hope and pray you are encouraged by these verses from Proverbs 3:5-6.  It's such a remarkable passage that can apply to so many different aspects of our life.  Memorize it if you can, carry it in your heart.  Have a delightful day.

His Ways are Always Better

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

Thank you for those who prayed that I'd find my missing papers.  My prayer was answered, but not in the way I expected it to be.  I did not find the papers I was looking for but as the scripture at the top of this post states, God's thoughts are not our thoughts.  The whole situation worked itself out without my need to find the papers.  In my mind, the only way to resolve my problem was to find what I was looking for, but God had other plans.  I learned another valuable lesson that day, that I desperately need to get organized.  I shouldn't have to spend an entire day looking for important papers.  I'll let you know how that goes, it's a process undoubtedly. 

I had a delightful birthday, filled with family and friends and love.  I hope you enjoy the two free vintage images I'm sharing with you today.  I love the one of the pondering woman.  One of my birthday gifts was a book of poems by Helen Steiner Rice, one of my favorite poets.  Here's one of them:

Gold is cold and lifeless,
it cannot see or hear,

And in your times of trouble,
it is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen,
no heart to understand.

It cannot bring you comfort,
or reach out a helping hand.

So when you ask God for a gift,
be thankful if He sends

Not diamonds, pearls, or riches,
but the love of real true friends.

Helen Steiner Rice

The Lord has blessed my life with my friends, and it's at times like my birthday, I'm reminded how rich a truly am.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a blessed long weekend.