Welcome 2026

Greetings on this cold day in sunny south Florida. The low on this first day of 2026 was 42 the real feel temp was 37. Yesterday morning it was 40 and real feel was 33.  That is cold for us, and a welcome relief from the hot steamy weather we usually have. I am thankful. 

Out with the old of 2025 and in with a new year to live and grow mentally and spiritually. Last year was a bit rough for me, but my Great God, Jesus, was with me through it all. He was my strength when I was weak. He drew me closer to Him.

In Isaiah 46:4 in the Bible God says: 

"Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he, 

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Last night I watched the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir welcoming in this new year and it was fantastic.  If you wish to watch, here is the link. BTC New Year's Eve 2025  It was a wonderful way to ring in the new year. The message at the end was oh so good, inviting hearts to come to Jesus in every circumstance.

Here was a song that really touched my heart. "He's Been Faithful to Me". This was from 5 years ago and has the lyrics.

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Below is a sweet video  with the same message. These sweet creations always touch my heart.

We are at the very beginning of this new year. 

May we see the beauty and true joy with each day that we are blessed with.

May we give God the glory and praise that He alone deserves.

He is the Light of the world.

He loves us.

1 Peter 5:7 says:

"Cast all your cares, your anxieties, on him because he cares for you."

Have a blessed 2026.

FlowerLady

Beauty from an overgrown subtropical cottage garden

Greetings from Plum Cottage,

Well, the problem with uploading photos to Blogger was fixed by switching to a different browser. It is so nice to have that issue taken care of.

Down here in s.e. FL, I have been getting hints of fall coming. My dear husband used to laugh when in August I would get these hints and say to him "Fall is coming." We still had the hot and steamy weather of September to get through, and sometimes into October.

I have lots of blooms to share and hope you enjoy the 'eye candy'. I am surprised sometimes when walking around my overgrown/weedy garden spaces and come upon a recently opened flower. Always a delight. We need to look up, down and all around, taking in the sights, scents and sounds. 

White scented Bauhinia ~ white orchid tree 

with what I think is a 'skipper' butterfly

Below is a sweetly scented rose 'Angel Face'.

PInk Monandra Bauhinia

Not sure which red rose this is, possibly 'Oklahoma'.

Red Salvia - spreads easily by seeds

'Spicy Jatropha' zebra longwings love this.

Hibiscus schizopetalus ~ skeleton or fringed hibiscus

Another unknown rose. Names fade away on tags. This might be 'Double Delight'.

Hibiscus 'Diva'

'Incense' passion flower

'Tiger Eye' flowering maple Abutilon 

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God saw all that he had made, 

and it was very good.

(Genesis 1:31)

Do not be anxious.

Consider the lilies of the field, 

how they grow: 

they neither toil nor spin; 

and yet 

I say to you

that even Solomon

in all his glory

was not arrayed like one of these.

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Cast all your anxiety on Jesus 

because He cares for you.

(1 Peter 5:7)

Do not worry about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will worry about its own things. 

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

(Matthew 6)

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Thanks for visiting. 

Count your blessings and be thankful.

Kindness matters

so

Be kind.

Love & prayers,

FlowerLady

Truth is Forever and Will Not Be Silenced

Hello Friends,

It is with a heavy and saddened heart that I write this post. It is also written with hope and prayer for this nation to turn to God. 

This past Wednesday the world lost a speaker for God's Biblical truths. A young man who wanted to lead this country's youth into a better way of life, trusting God. He was only 31 years old. He was loved by so many around the world, young and old alike. He was also hated by many, some of those haters celebrated his death. That is so hard to fathom. So many haters against what is right, lovers of what is wrong.

Charlie Kirk debated his beliefs with grace and dignity at campuses around the US. He welcomed questions and then spoke truth according to God. Some hearts were changed, others were not.

I've watched a lot of videos and podcasts over the last couple of days that have touched my heart deeply. There have also been some wonderful, heart felt tribute songs written. Charlie will not be forgotten and his mission will be taken up by thousands around the world. It is already happening with all of the vigils. Hearts and lives are being changed by the love of Jesus, our Great God, who gave His life so that man would be saved and have life eternally with Him. Repent and believe for this free gift.

Erika, his lovely wife, gave a calm speech about Charlie and his mission. God was her strength as she spoke to the world. He is continually with her and will never leave her side. May God comfort and bless her and her two little ones. May God also continue to bless the Turning Point ministry.

Charlie is with Jesus, His wonderful Creator and Savior, King of the Universe. We will see Charlie one of these days and all of us will praise Jesus for all that He has done for His Chosen, those who believe in Him. Evil will be done away with forever!!!

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As Christians, we are heartbroken, and we deal with anger in our hearts over this horrible thing that has happened, yet, we have not resorted to any kind of violence. In the Bible we read in Romans 12:17-19. 

"Repay no one evil for evil.

 

Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 

If it is possible, as much as depends on you,

 

live peaceably with all men.

 

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, 

but rather give place to wrath;

 

for it is written,

 

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord."  

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Fear is another thing we are having to deal with because of this situation. The thought that crosses our minds is, could any of us be next? Especially those who really speak out for truth. I have heard of several who often receive death threats. We are already a nation dealing with fear &  anxiety, especially since 2020. This whole thing though, has brought out a resolve to not give in or give up. To keep on speaking the truth, loving and helping others as best we can. Sharing the gospel of Jesus.

In Isaiah 41:10 we read:

"Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will also help you,

I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

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! John 4:3-4 says:

"Every spirit 

that does not confess Jesus 

is not from God;

 

this is the spirit of the antichrist,

 

which you have heard is coming,

 

and now it is already in the world.

 

You are from God, little children,

 

and have overcome them;

 

because greater is He who is in you

 

than he who is in the world."

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"For God has not given us a spirit of fear,

 

but of power

 

and of love 

and of a sound mind."

(2 Timothy 1:7)

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Let us remember, 

"The Lord is close 

to the brokenhearted

and saves those 

who are crushed in spirit."

(2 Timothy1:7)

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"Blessed be the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

the Father of mercies 

and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our affliction 

so that we will be able to comfort those 

who are in any affliction 

with the comfort with which 

we ourselves are comforted by God. 

For just as the sufferings of Christ 

are ours in abundance,

 

so also our comfort is abundant

 

through Christ."

(2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

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"Be on the alert, 

stand firm in the faith,

 

act like men, be strong."

(1 Corinthians 16:13)

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Jesus said, 

"Love your enemies 

pray for those who persecute you"

(Matthew 5:44)

~~~~~~

"I urge that

 

requests, prayers, intercession,

 

and thanksgiving

 

be made in behalf of all people,

 

for kings and all who are in authority,

 

so that we may lead

 

a tranquil and quiet life

 

in all godliness and dignity."

(1Timothy 2:1-2)

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We are all sinners saved by God's grace and tender mercies, when we turn to Him.

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Let us pray for and encourage one another. Let us help others when and where we can.

Let us move forward, one day, one step at a time, trusting in God and His plan.

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Finally, brothers and sisters,

 

whatever is true,

 

whatever is honorable,

 

whatever is right,

 

whatever is pure,

 

whatever is lovely,

 

whatever is commendable,

 

if there is any excellence and

 

if anything worthy of praise,

 

think about these things.

(Philippians 4:8)

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Love and prayers,

FlowerLady

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