Think About These Things

Lisa Lyons

Castlelyons

Posted on June 25, 2012 by lyonsroarforgod

Castlelyons, Ireland. Great name, but then, I’m biased as Lyons is my last name and it would be pretty amazing to have a castle or just hang out in a castle. We found this town in County Cork, and it was the ancient hometown of the Barrymores in the 13th century. Fun to imagine what life was like back then, probably very hard, and not much like my daydreams of knights, maidens, minstrels, etc. But hey, a girl can dream, right? 🙂 Slainte, Lisa

My two knights

Castle Lyons Ruins, http://www.geograph.ie

Antiquity Looks Outward

Posted on June 20, 2012 by lyonsroarforgod

Old looks toward the new, wishing it would slow down and enjoy its newness.

The new tends to ignore the old, until it realizes that in a few short years, it will be old as well.

The new house, the old castle, the same beautiful land that God has made. Both with worth and stories and hopefully, filled with love.

Have fun filling your new or old home with love today. Slainte, Lisa

Wind on the Haystacks

Posted on May 2, 2012 by lyonsroarforgod

“There’s no need to fear the wind if your haystacks are tied down.” -Irish proverb

Photo by Patricia Edwards in County Clare, 1958.
www.irishcultureandcustoms.com

After piling the dried hay into 7 to 8 foot stacks, hayropes would be tied down over them. At the end of the ropes were heavy stones to hold the haystacks down in the wind. You can only imagine what would happen if they were not tied down…hay lost, much hard work and sweat gone to waste, and no food for livestock.

This got me thinking about my life…is it tied down? Am I blowing crazily in the wind, or am I secured to the rock? “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” (Psalm 18:2) Sometimes life gets crazy, and winds are howling, and it feels like you’re going to blow away. But the Rock that is stronger than me will hold me down and keep me together in my “haystack.” Slainte, Lisa

Women helping to create haystacks
www.irelandcultureandcustoms.com

Cahir Castle

Posted on April 30, 2012 by lyonsroarforgod

One of our favorite castles in Ireland (because how can you pick just one?!) is Cahir Castle, located in County Tipperary. Dating back to the 13th-15th centuries, and designed by Conor O’Brien, it is an impressive, imposing, yet beautiful defensive castle. This is the kind of castle that inspires 7-year-old boys to proclaim, “I could live here FOREVER!” and propel return visits because you may have missed something the first go-around. Have a wonderful day, Lisa

Ring Forts

Posted on April 10, 2012 by lyonsroarforgod

Thousands of ring forts can be found all over Ireland. This particular one, Leacanabuaile, is located in Cahersiveen and is in great shape. “Leacanabuaile is one of only a few Irish Forts to have been excavated and those excavations revealed both Bronze and Iron Age objects suggesting that there was a farming community here from an early date.” (http://www.visitcahersiveen.ie/places_to_visit_detail.php?item=169&full=y)

Protection for people and farm animals in early days. Looking at them now, it’s hard to imagine living inside their stone walls on the open grassy mounds. But at the time, I’m sure it was a blessed protection from the elements and other harmful things. The thing that always strikes me, though, is that the same God who protects and cares for us is the same God that protected and cared for them. And history rolls on…

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2

Slainte, Lisa