Blessed

Sitting on my couch, I can look out the window across the room and see the American flag blowing in the breeze . . . and I realize again how blessed I am! Old Glory still evokes in me feelings of patriotism and love of my country.

On the table beside the window lies John David's Bible . . . one of many copies we own. How blessed we are to live in America where we can have as many Bibles as we wish, we can openly display them, and more importantly, we can read His Word without fear.

I know these freedoms and countless others were bought with a great price. Freedom is never free! And so as we approach the birthday of our great country, I say "Thank you! Thank you!" to the brave men and women who have paid the price for my freedom - both in the past and those who are defending my freedom this very moment.

God bless America . . . and God bless those serving in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines!

Detours

Detours . . . we don't like them!

Not when we're traveling the highways and interstates . . . and not in our life journeys. But friend Roz reminds us of the road God's children are traveling: It's the Highway of Holiness; the road is marked for us!

We can be sure as His obedient children that every detour takes us closer to the SON - even when it doesn't look that way through our earthly eyes!

When God has another plan - walk on and just say yes.
When God has another plan - be assured that He knows best.
~Lyrics by Taranda Greene~

When it pours . . .

When it rains, it pours!

No, I'm not talking about the wonderful rain we've received and are so thankful for. I'm thinking of the troubles, difficulties, illnesses and tragedy that have "rained" down on the families of our church and community within the last few months. With each phone call or text or message relaying more bad news, it seems that a little more breath is knocked out of me.

It's at these moments I must be still and be reminded that He is still God and is in control. I CAN trust Him - always - even when I don't understand. I like the words of the song that say:

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand,
When you don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

Easy to do? I never said that!

Did you notice in the above pic of the salt box that the timeless little girl is spilling out her salt in the pouring rain? I see a lesson in that for us - for me . . . and it's not one that most of us ace on the first test! Do you think God says to us, when a deluge of troubles almost sweeps us off our feet, "Someone is watching. Don't give up your faith! Be the salt of the earth in the midst of your trials. I can use you - in spite of your feelings of weakness - to touch those around you. I can be glorified. Carry the umbrella of my promises - but let your salt pour!"


(Edit: Words to song by Babbie Mason and Eddie Carswell)

Wonder-full!

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.
There are seven million.

~Walt Streightiff~

I love watching kids play . . . and I love their creativity! Yes, they enjoy all the tech toys that are available to them, but they can also create a wonderland from almost nothing.

That's what Aiden, Isaac, and Abby did when they were here last week . . . and what they always do during their visits. Just give them a few quilts to hang over the bunk bed and a chair or two, and suddenly the "kids' room" is transformed into a fort. Tie a flashlight to the slats of the bunk bed, and play begins. Well . . . actually building the fort was as much fun for them as playing inside it, I think!

Years from now, I hope they look back on these days and remember the joys of creating . . . and play that cost nothing . . . and working as a team . . . and finding pleasure in the simple things. And I hope they can still picture the amazing creativity of the MawMaw, the great-grandmother they never knew. She made the beautiful quilts that form the walls of their fort, so it was almost as if her creative hands encircled them as they played inside their hideaway.

Creativity comes in so many forms and is expressed in so many ways - and is no respecter of age. But seeing the world through the wonder-filled eyes of a child is priceless!

But I can think of one thing more special . . . and that's seeing the world and people through the eyes of The Creator, who looked at the works of His hands and said, "It is good."

And I look back on the fun-filled, kids-at-play days of last week, and I, too, can say, "It is good."

Appreciating Beauty . . . in People and Sunsets

One of the most satisfying experiences I know is fully to appreciate
an individual in the same way I appreciate a sunset. When I look
at a sunset...I don't find myself saying,
'Soften the orange a little more
on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base,
and use a little more pink in the cloud color...'
I don't try to control a sunset.
I watch it with awe as it unfolds.
~Carl Rogers~

Fun Times

All four grands are here!! Busy times . . . fun times . . . memory-making time!

I'll cross that bridge when I get to it . . .

I often find myself trying to cross bridges that are out ahead of me.

I have an idea some of you know what I'm talking about . . . and so you know how draining that is - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Too late I realize that all my stewing and worrying and planning and trying to figure things out "sensibly" never move me ahead one inch! Sometimes I simply get ahead of God. And that means I'm not letting Him BE God in my life.

But He's teaching . . . and I'm trying to be a better student, a better listener, a better follower. Life is just too short and precious to wrap myself up in a blanket of worry and fear! Why should I even want to do that when He offers me His hand to hold and His loving arms around me? Lord, help me . . .

Tomorrow's bridge is a dangerous thing;
I dare not cross it now.
I can see its timbers sway and swing,
And its arches reel and bow.
O heart, you must hope alway;
You must sing and trust and say:
"I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorrow,
But I'll borrow none today."
~copied from Streams in the Desert~


Jesus will walk with me; He will talk with me.
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me.
~Lyrics by Haldor Lillenas~

If love says anything . . .

Love covers a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8

That Bible verse can easily be misinterpreted. We know that we can't forgive or remove sins. Only the blood of Jesus does that! So what does it mean? I like what Max Lucado says about it:

Have you ever heard anyone gossip about someone you know? . . .
What do you have to say?
Here is what love says: Love says nothing. Love stays silent. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” Love doesn’t expose. It doesn’t gossip. If love says anything, love speaks words of defense. Words of kindness. Words of protection.

Words to live by . . . words that get right down where we live . . . words that I need to be reminded of often!

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

Shipment Received!

In all states of dilemma or of difficulty, prayer is an available source.
The ship of prayer may sail through all temptations, doubts and fears, straight up to the throne of God; and though she may be outward bound with only griefs, and groans, and sighs, she shall return freighted with a wealth of blessings!

~C. H. Spurgeon~

Today the ship of prayer returned to our friends, church and community loaded with a miracle! Surgery was scheduled this morning for a dear friend - a surgery that would have taken her leg. But God heard our prayers - individual prayers, small group prayers, and corporate prayers - and she still has her leg! The doctor was amazed at what he saw when he began the surgery this morning; the damage was not nearly as extensive as he expected! Nothing short of a miracle!

Our hearts are full and running over! We give HIM all the praise! We needed a miracle. God honored our sincere, believing prayers and sent us that miracle - one that has touched and will touch our friend, her family, and our church and community. I believe it is the spark that will set our hearts aflame with hope and faith and will be a constant, very real reminder that our God can do anything! Our God IS an awesome God!

This song I sang as a child came to my mind today:

God can do anything,
anything,
anything.
God can do anything
but fail!

(Note: I took the photo on St. Simon's Island - GA.)