Sunday 20 March 2011

What is a Flutterby?



According to the Online Dictionary:


flut·ter  (fltr)
v. flut·tered, flut·ter·ing, flut·ters
v.intr.
1. To wave or flap rapidly in an irregular manner: curtains that fluttered in the breeze.
2.
a. To fly by a quick light flapping of the wings.
b. To flap the wings without flying.
3. To move or fall in a manner suggestive of tremulous flight: "Her arms rose, fell, and fluttered with the rhythm of the song" (Evelyn Waugh).
4. To vibrate or beat rapidly or erratically: My heart fluttered wildly.
5. To move quickly in a nervous, restless, or excited fashion; flit.
v.tr.
To cause to flutter: "fluttering her bristly black lashes as swiftly as butterflies' wings" (Margaret Mitchell).
n.
1. The act of fluttering.
2. A condition of nervous excitement or agitation: Everyone was in a flutter over the news that the director was resigning.
3. A commotion; a stir.
4. Pathology Abnormally rapid pulsation, especially of the atria or ventricles of the heart.
5. Rapid fluctuation in the pitch of a sound reproduction resulting from variations in the speed of the recording or reproducing equipment.
6. Chiefly British A small bet; a gamble: "If they like a flutter, Rick will get them better odds than the bookies" (John le Carré).
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/flutter


But I like the answer at Answers.com a little better:

A flutterby is another name for a butterfly. By Juan Valdovinos

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_flutterby#ixzz1HBCibGaj

But why did I choose that for my blog title (you might ask)?

I chose Flutterbys because it brings to mind the fleeting and fragile quality of life. We are here in our mortality for only seeming moments when compared with all of eternity. The Apostle James put it like this:

Jam 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

I also chose that word to denote the fleeting quality of my thoughts. What are thoughts? They come and go, and they can change with the seasons. And what remains is the truth, what God has said from the beginning, and nothing I do or say can add to it, or subtract from it. If anything of what I say or do remains and brings glory to God, it is because He can place an enduring quality to my fleeting missives...and if He chooses to do so, the praise belongs only to Him, and I was just a messenger of His precious and enduring flame.

Heb 1:7  And of the angels (messengers) he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

To the fleetingness of life, and the temporariness of all that we experience here, whether good or bad, and reflections on what I see; current events, and other points of interest); topics on "the wind and the waves" in life, and "the quiet in the eye of the storm" when we are in Christ Jesus, is what I devote my musings to here...a devotional that I submit for others to be able to view, and comment on if you wish.

Flutter by now and then, add your thoughts and join in the conversation. And in all things (seemingly good and seemingly bad) give thanks to the Father, without whom we would not even have this mortal existence.

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

14 comments:

  1. Hi Susan!

    I love the name of the blog:)It reminds me of my grandmother. She loves butterflies and has a big collection of them in pictures, painting jewelry, etc. When I was little I remember her saying that she loved butterflies because they fluttered-by.

    Our thoughts are fleeting aren't they? I think about it at times how I have changed my mind on one topic or another and then perhaps back again.

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  2. Hi Ma :)

    If your thoughts are as fleeting as mine are, they are VERY fleeting indeed! :-P

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Hi Susan
    I agree with the fleeting nature of thoughts, but would suggest that in some arenas of thought we need consistency and probably permanency for what we think about: the rights of persons and states. The founding fathers understood natural law and things, but insisted that the laws limit the powers of governments to control their citizens.

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  4. Hello Gary. I used to be very concerned about what is happening with regards to what the government is doing thinking that my one little voice added to other voices could change the world.

    Lately I've come to a place where Jesus said:

    Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

    There are powers and principalities in this world and we are not "of the world" so when "they" make peace, and have their ultimate peacemaker (who isn't Jesus)

    I won't join "them" in their rejoicing because they will be singing their praises to the antichrist....and it will all be as Jesus said it would be...but I await another world and the true one with the true government upon His shoulders.

    Thank you for stopping by, Gary :-)

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  5. There is so much going on that it is at times very confusing for me to discern what exactly I am supposed to do during this time, but one thing I do know is that this world is full of deception.

    Jesus said to "watch" and to "pray".

    (sent you an email, Gary :-) )

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  6. Hi Susan, Remedy to know what we should be keeping our minds fixed on.

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. (Phil. 4:8)

    I too, used to spend time thinking about all the things that the "Christian patriots," had/have to say. Now I keep abreast of what is going on, but more importantly, keep the knowing uppermost in my heart that God is in control, whatever occurs in the government(s.) We are "in the world, but not of it." Also, the "world, loves it's own."

    Just because something carries the "label" of Christian, does not make it so.

    Blessings, dear one.
    Doris

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  7. So true, Doris...but I do find myself fretting at times, and then the Lord reminds me again that He won't let anything happen that unless it has been ordained to be so, for the testing of our faith and purification.

    I understand where you are coming from, Gary, and I hope you will lift your eyes to truly see that this world will pass away, just as our mortal bodies will all pass away... the Creator made everything for a reason. Seek Him and seek to know the reason. (Seek and you will find)

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  8. Hi Sarah,

    So true about "before and after". What I used to think was so important and the fantasizing and all, were nothing at all, and it was all about me and what I wanted...but what is real and true and pure is Jesus and Him crucified to pay a dear price for the penalty of our sinfulness. The rest is dust in the wind. I still see the wind and the waves, but they don't trouble me as much as they used to. Now it is encouraging to think that Jesus will come to make permanent changes, and He has some incredibly awesome plans almost bursting onto the scenes...it will destroy this place, and there are many who only have their hearts set on this place, and they will mourn, but for those who desire HIM above all else, it will be glorious!

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  9. Thanks for linking up Susan! I remember this post:)

    I am enjoying re-reading the comments, too, esp. what Doris said and you about not being really very politically minded anymore.

    Thought are fleeting for sure. I don't think the same thoughts as a year ago at this time, but TRUTH is truth whether we really understand it all or not.

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    Replies
    1. "TRUTH is truth whether we really understand it at all or not"

      So true Ma. We don't have it all figured out but we know Him who does know everything, from the beginning to eternity future.

      The things that were discussed on DebbieLynne's blog and on Leslie's blog, has me praying for sure :) but like you say, the Truth is what it is regardless of how any and all of us tend to see it misshapen and warped with our warped brains, yikes! He changes not! :) So if you, or I, or DebbieLynne or Leslie and all the rest of us fall short of seeing it all truly, it still doesn't change what is really true, and doesn't change a thing about Jesus. That is a comforting fact to me.

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    2. Tell me about it:)

      A year ago I would be running screaming (metaphorically) and finger wagging and such.

      I have been dealt some humbling blows. It's a good thing.

      AND He has not given us a spirit of fear. I have to remind myself often.

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    3. "...and finger wagging and such"

      (groan)yeah, I was complaining of other people's finger wagging with plenty of finger wagging of my own, sheesh! I think we can all be a little more like Mary (Jesus' mom) who "pondered these things in her heart" rather than...doing what I do (((blush)))

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  10. From what I've seen of your blog, Susan, looks like this was the start of something good, however fleeting - and fluttering - it might be in the grand scheme of things. Keep it up. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Aztexan,

      I only wish I had time to read everyone else's blogs every day, but then I'd never get off this computer! Ha! I do visit you from time to time, though :) Thanks for coming to my little spot on the web :D

      Delete


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