Friday, February 25, 2011

We Bow Down


We bow down and we worship You, Lord . . .
Lord of all Lords You will be.
We bow down and we crown You the King . . .
King of all Kings You will be.
~Twila Paris~


I bow before You, Lord, bringing my praise . . . and my cares.
You want to hear both.
You use both to draw me close to You - which is where I want to be.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sprigs of Hope


Tender, green shoots push through the cold, hard sod
Where the bulbs have been buried all winter.
Spring can't be too far away!

Easter lilies . . . bursting through the clutches of winter -
Remind us of The Source of rebirth and all things new.
The Giver of hope and life is never too far away!

A tender sprig of hope pushes through the cold, barren soul
Where it's been buried beneath the rubble of a shattered life.
Wholeness and healing can't be too far away!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Foggy Weather


Dense fog engulfed my FIL's place this morning,
and the air was heavy, chilly and damp.
One of the cats crouched on the carport wall, his dark fur taking on a misty gray color.

When I looked at the this pic, I was reminded of Carl Sanburg's famous poem:
The fog comes on little cat feet . . .

I like that word picture.
But in our lives, the fog doesn't always come so gently.
Sometimes it comes on the feet of pain . . . or disappointment . . .
or loss . . . or confusion.
Our world is engulfed, and our visibility is near zero.

But even when we can't see the next step, we can be assured
that there is One beside us to guide us and to bring us safely into the light.
The Son shines and the fog is lifted . . . in His time.

Fogs are a painful, often scary, always faith-testing part of life, but one day we'll become eternal residents of a fog-free, see-things-clearly place!

We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us!
~I Corinthians 13:12 The Message~

Friday, February 11, 2011

They'll know . . .

(near Tybee Island, GA)

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine.
~Dwight L. Moody~

Lighthouses and Christ-followers . . . they just shine!

. . . and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
~Lyrics by Peter Scholtes~

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bold Living


Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
~Hebrews 4:16~

. . . and we can BOLDLY leave that sacred place
to obey
to grow
to serve
to love
BOLDLY.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Mirrored Reflections


A glowing, warming fire crackled and popped in the living room fireplace.
As I walked past the mirror in the dining room, its reflection caught my attention.
It was just that . . . a reflection . . . but the drawing kind that invites one
to go sit by the fire and be warmed.

Lord, make my life like that reflection . . . drawing others to sit at the feet of The One who warms our souls and sets our hearts aflame with His love.

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness,
So our faces display Your likeness.
Ever changing from glory to glory;
Mirrored here, may our lives tell your story;
Shine on me. Shine on me.

~Lyrics by Graham Kendrick - Shine, Jesus, Shine~


Friday, February 4, 2011