Someone's at the Door

Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock.

If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered,
took the place of honor at the side of my Father.
That's my gift to the conquerors!
~Words of Jesus - Revelations 3:20 (The Message)~


Into my heart, into my heart -
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today, come in to stay -
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
~Lyrics by Henry D. Clark - 1924~

Majestic Creatures

Which of God's creations do you think of as majestic? I wonder if He has a favorite!

Towering mountains, vast oceans, cascading waterfalls, breath-taking sunrises and sunsets come to my mind . . . and these beautiful animals that we recently saw in Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina. Listening to them bugling made it an amazing experience!

The writers of the psalms expressed their awe at the majesty of creation many times. I wonder if David's appreciation of nature began while a boy watching his father's sheep and moving them from one location to another. He had plenty of time to take in his surroundings during those long days and nights in solitude. Later, when he was king, he prayed this prayer - one that is just as fitting for us today:

Blessed are you, God of Israel, our Father from of old and forever.
To You, O God, belong the greatness and the might,
the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor;
Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth;
the kingdom all Yours! You've raised yourself high over all.
Riches and glory come from You,
You're ruler over all;
You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand
to build up and strengthen all.
And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to You,
praising your splendid Name.

We sang this praise chorus by Pauline M. Mills at church recently, and it reminds me that God enjoys the works of His hands; they give Him great pleasure. I like that idea!

Thou art worthy; Thou art worthy.
Thou art worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory, glory and honor,
glory and honor and power.
For thou hast created, hast all things created;
Thou hast created all things.
And for Thy pleasure they are created,
for Thou art worthy, O Lord.

Shoeless in Georgia

I lost my shoes - or shoe, I should say - on this unbelievably pretty spot of Jekyll Island, GA!

The stark beauty of the driftwood piled along the sandy, secluded beaches make it an ideal spot for photography-loving tourists like myself! In order to walk in the water's edge, I pulled off my shoes and put them in a safe spot - or at least that's what I thought!

A few minutes later, I went back to get them, and only one sandal was there; the other - washed out with the tides! Well, one shoe was worthless, so I threw it in, too! Since I don't carry extra shoes with me, I was shoeless and had to walk barefoot over the hot path back to the car. My tender feet suffered! We then set out to look for somewhere to buy some shoes. Of course, I wasn't going in a store barefoot, so JD would have to purchase them!

As we drove around the island, we found a fishing/park area with its own bait/tackle shop. Maybe they sold flip flops, I thought . . . and hoped. John David went in to find out and returned with the cutest pair - white with green peace signs and hearts! Cute or not, I would have worn them, but I thought he made a really good choice - and they fit perfectly!

The next day we walked along the beach on St. Simons Island . . . and this time my shoes were in a really safe place!

This little episode - and my new flip flops - remind me that "things" can slip away from us so quickly and unexpectedly.

More importantly, I've reflected on the fact that I really don't want to be too far away from my Heavenly Father, where I'm safe. It's when I move away from Him that I'm in danger of being pulled under by the tides of worry, fear, discouragement, conformity, selfishness, wrong attitudes . . . which only take me farther out to sea.

If I'm not "sheltered safe within the arms of God," it's so easy to just drift along, too, and have a form of godliness but lack power and purpose. The driftwood is appealing to the eye and is photogenic . . . but it's dead!

Well . . . who knew that losing a shoe would be a teachable moment?? The truth is that God uses the "little" things in life, both pleasant and difficult, to shape our lives and draw us to Him. That's just how much He loves us!!

Waiting

I'm waiting . . .
For temps to drop. . .
And leaves to show their oranges, reds, and yellows.

I'm waiting . . .
To get out sweaters and jackets . . .
And for fires in the fireplace.

I'm waiting (sometimes impatiently) . . .
And it WILL happen . . .
In His time . . .

He's never failed since creation to order the seasons!
We can count on His faithfulness . . . in every season.

He changes times and seasons . . .
Daniel 2:21a

Landmarks

(Click on pic to read print.)

Christ's Church is one of the prominent landmarks on beautiful St. Simons Island. Photos really don't do justice to the serenity and beauty of the well-preserved church and the surrounding church yard filled with ancient moss-covered oaks and the many graves of residents of the island. Its history is rich, and thankfully has been kept alive by those who call it home. I wonder just how many lives have been touched as parishioners and visitors worshiped on this sacred spot.

And I think of the landmarks in my life . . . people, events, choices, and decisions that have influenced and helped to mold me into the person I am today. I think of my own church, which I have attended all my life minus 2-3 years we lived elsewhere. It may not be well-known or have the extensive history of Christ's Church, but it has been a place of worship, learning, growing, and fellowship and has impacted my life in ways that matter the most. Within its walls, I've been touched countless times by God's presence and power. Not by any means the only place I meet God, but it is truly one of the landmarks along my life's journey.

Even if the physical structures of my church and yours cease to exist, the body of Christ - the Church in its truest sense - will always be preserved! Now that's a landmark that will withstand the test of time!

Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.
Proverbs 22:28

We are standing on holy ground,
And I know that there are angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence on holy ground.
~Geron Davis - Holy Ground lyrics~

Sunsets Over St. Simons Island

Only God . . .

Only God can . . .

Only God can create such splendor. . .

Only God can create such splendor over and over again . . .

Only God.

And I stand, I stand in awe of You;
I stand, I stand in awe of You.
Holy God, to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You.
~Mark Altrogge - I Stand in Awe lyrics~

Let your light shine . . .

St. Simons Island Lighthouse

Carry your candle, run to the darkness.
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn.
Hold out your candle for all to see it;
Take your candle, and go light your world.
Take your candle, and go light your world.
~Chris Rice - Go Light Your World lyrics~

We're on island time . . .

"Be still and know that I am God."

You may have noticed that I haven't posted much lately nor have I commented on other blogs. That's because we are on vacation! Yesterday we visited this most peaceful place - Christ's Church on St. Simons Island, GA. Its tranquility and beauty are indescribable!

I'll post more pics later - and get caught up with your blogs!

Late for class again . . .

The Love of God

(Click to enlarge.)

The color has not been edited. It was just that beautiful!

And so is His love!
Unedited . . . pure . . . immeasurable . . . and beautiful beyond description!

Totally Tuned In

(JD and Isaac building a deer stand)

When The Teacher speaks am I totally tuned in?

Are my eyes focused?
There are so many distractions.

Are my ears open?
Our world has become so noisy . . . but The Teacher never yells.

Are my heart, mind and soul intent on learning?
Do I really want to learn . . . and grow . . . and be changed?
Or am I satisfied with the way I am?
Besides, the measuring and trimming and sanding and hammering can be awfully painful.

I know I'm not the most attentive student at times, but I'm surely glad The Teacher is patient with me. I don't want to treat His kindness recklessly, however. I can't imagine a greater privilege and honor than to learn from The Master Himself!

So, the words of this song express my desire:
Open our (my) eyes, Lord, we (I) want to see Jesus -
To reach out and touch Him and say that we (I) love Him.
Open our (my) ears, Lord, and help us (me) to listen;
Open our (my) eyes, Lord, we (I) want to see Jesus.
~Bob Cull~


I really do want to be totally tuned in . . . and I plan to be
a life-long student of His!