Spread the Joy!

Lord, don't let me get rusty . . .

Negligence is the rust of the soul, that corrodes through all her best resolves.
~Owen Feltham~

It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off.
If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything,
do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation?
First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us
by those who heard it from Him. All the while God was validating it with gifts
through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as He saw fit.
Hebrews 2:1-3 The Message

Fear Not!

Click on pic to enlarge.

And Isaiah 41:13 says: For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

So when when the clouds threaten to hide His face, His Light . . . I'll just hold tighter to His hand.

Holding hands with God . . . what a thought . . . what a reality!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Added at 2:05 p.m.
When I posted earlier, I couldn't seem to think of the "right" song to add to my thoughts. A short while later, I got in the car to run an errand, and as always XM Enlighten radio was playing as I pulled onto the highway. At first I didn't pay any attention to the words - until I heard the Collingsworth family sing: Fear not tomorrow, for God is already there. And then they added these familiar words: Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know Who holds tomorrow and I know Who holds my hand.

Coincidence? I don't think so! Just another reminder that God knows about every detail of my life, He's aware of all my anxieties and that He cares enough to give me a song!

Thirsty?

Driving Lessons

Poppa and Aiden

Tractors and grandpas and little boys
just seem to go together when you live in the country.
Wonderful memories are made and lessons learned
sittin' on Poppa's knee as the two of them putter down the gravel road.
Soon they'll be big enough to take the wheel on their own,
following Poppa's instructions and feeling grownup and proud.
I know someone who will be even prouder!

These moments - like the one I captured in the photo above -
can't last forever.
But memories can . . .
and lessons learned can . . .
and the love between this Poppa and his two grandsons will!


Hold them near while they're here
and don't wait for tomorrow,
to look back and wish for today.
~Bill & Gloria Gaither - We Have This Moment Today~

Author Francis Chan Asks . . .

Think about His love; think about His goodness.

Think about His grace that's brought us through.
For as high as the heavens above,
So great is the measure of our Father's love;
Great is the measure of our Father's love.
~Walt Harrah~

Bubbles

Bubbles are fun . . . for kids of all ages!

Who hasn't enjoyed blowing bubbles in the breeze and watching them glide through the air? How about relaxing in a tub brimming with bubbles at the end of a tiring day? I'm even old enough to remember the signature bubbles on The Lawrence Welk Show! OK. . . many of you are, too!

Recently, two of our grandchildren enjoyed getting inside huge bubbles and moving across a pool. It looked like such fun!




I would guess that all of us have had days when we would have loved to crawl into a bubble and drift in oblivion to cares and pressing circumstances. Inside our own little bubble, we could control who comes in . . . and we'd be isolated from annoyances and interruptions . . . and we'd not be contaminated by all the bad in today's world. It would be a cozy, comfortable place with all our "stuff" carefully placed around us. All would be quiet and peaceful, and we'd not be pulled in a hundred different directions.

But Abby said it was awfully noisy inside her bubble. Her own laughter and voice echoed so loudly, she said. Hmmm. . . . made me remember that inside my own little bubble, it's pretty much about me . . . my thoughts . . . my wishes . . . my feelings . . . and that can get pretty loud at times. That's really all I can hear.

Maybe According to Scripture, choosing a "bubble life" - even if there's room for other Christians - is not what God plans for us. It's OK to huddle with other Christians for encouragement and growing, but huddling is only a part of the game of life. As in the game of football, huddling is necessary, but the plays happen out on the field often amidst fierce opposition. Not one player can afford to operate in his own little bubble.

For sure, we need time to ourselves and we need our own space. But we can't camp out in a bubble! Not if we follow the example of Jesus . . . and that is our goal, isn't it? His was a life of service and compassion and unconditional love for others . . . with eyes and ears wide open to the needs around Him. The following quote from a recent Living Missions lesson at church spoke to me:

Christ lived an intentional life here on earth . . . where He

purposefully chose to see and know those around Him. He ate
in their homes. He talked with them along the road.
He taught them from the hillside.

Those words don't describe a life lived in a bubble, do they? Instead, He calls us to reflect His Light . . . to be the "salt of the earth" . . . to be His image-bearers . . . to make disciples in all the nations. I pray that the next time I'm tempted to crawl into a bubble, He'll remind me of these truths.

Love through me; love through me;
O Lord, love through me.
Somewhere somebody needs Your love today.
O Lord, love through me.
~Mosie Lister~

Tugboats and Barges

(Lake Ponchartrain, S Louisiana)

Sometimes I need a good firm push!

Thankfully, our creative Heavenly Father knows exactly how to provide
a boost that fits my needs perfectly. Many times He uses the prayers, words,
and kind gestures of family and friends.

Sometimes He asks me to give someone else a push in the right direction.
The waters are filled with people who seem unable to maneuver
themselves in the waters of life.

I guess you could say that some days I'm the barge . . . and at other times
I'm the tugboat!

Either way, both move steadily through the waters together
and reach their destination.

We really do need each other!


Friends are a gift from above
Friends are devoted and true
Then when the goin' gets tough
They're lovin', carin' and prayin' for you

Friends . . . love one another
Friends, sisters and brothers
Friends. . . all in the family of God
~John Wierick~

Isaac and Tucker

Happy 234th Birthday, America!

(Click on pic to enlarge.)

The Upper Window

Words of an old, old song came to my mind today - one that most of you have probably never heard. I loved hearing The Stewart Sisters sing it at church in days gone by. In fact, I can still hear their voices blending harmoniously as they sang about the God they served. The lyrics are based on the story of Noah and his ark, but the message is so relevant today. As I pondered worried about some uncertain times ahead, the refrain of this song - which I haven't heard in years - came clearly and sweetly to my mind and brought comfort. Hope it encourages you, too!

The Upper Window

When God spoke unto Noah, and told him to build the ark,
The Lord knew well the vessel would be cheerless and dark.
So God said build a window with outlook toward the sky,
That when it’s dark and lonesome, you’ll see Me standing by.

* Refrain:
The storms will come, but fear not; oh, children, I am nigh,
And through the upper window, you’ll see Me standing by.

It may be that affliction will rack and rend your frame
Until your mortal body is seared with fevered flame.
But do not be discouraged; just lift your tear-dimmed eye,
And through the upper window, you’ll see Me standing by.

Perhaps you’ll suffer losses, like houses, lands, and gold,
And you will feel you’re homeless, and penniless, and old;
But sweetest peace and comfort will lift your painful sigh,
When through the upper window, you’ll see Me standing by.

~Public Domain status - Anonymous/Unknown~