Late Bloomer

Late bloomer -

no less beautiful

no less admired

  no less a rose.

The sun was sinking low in the west

as I walked the trail near the house.

Bursting through the thick growth of trees,

its rays painted their golden hues across my path.

Light transformed the ordinary 4-wheeler trail -

with its dead limbs and leaves amidst the greenery -

into a place of shining beauty.

I'm thinking a greater Light - 

The Light of the World -

whose golden rays of love

burst through the darkness and the deadness

and the ordinary-ness of our lives,

bringing beauty

and lighting our paths.

The Creator of Light Himself

bringing light into my life!

It's an incredible gift!

It's a life-giving gift

that just keeps 

giving

and 

giving.

Lord, help me never take your light for granted.

Help me to walk in it and live in it. I realize it's my choice.

I can't think of a better place to be -

close to You,

basking in the warmth of your love.

 But your light is not to be kept to myself,
  so help me to share it in our world 
that seems to be growing darker and darker.

Amen.

Focus

Perspective makes all the difference . . . 

and often needs a reality check.

~~~~~~~~~~~

With eternity's values in view, Lord;

With eternity's values in view -

May I do each day's work for Jesus

With eternity's values in view.

~Lyrics by Al Smith~



(Click on pic to enlarge.)

Just a drop . . .

Just a drop  . . . 

brings beauty

refreshes

reflects the sun's light.

Just a drop of love and kindness . . .

brings sunshine

encouragement

reflects the Son's light.

Just a drop . . . 

a smile

a pat on the back

"Can I help you?"

a note

a call

a prayer

a hand to hold

a shoulder to lean on -

just little things

that mean so much.

Maybe a drop or two

of His blood would have been enough.

But He gave all.

He gave every drop

 for me

for you.

Show me, Lord, where I need to sprinkle your love.  

Open my eyes to the opportunities and needs around me.

Help me to "drip Jesus."

Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note:  One pastor I know, Pastor M. Perkins, closes his written messages with those words:  Drip Jesus - thus the quotation marks.

Always faithful . . .

(click on pic to enlarge)

Though the lake level is extremely low,

and the heat and drought have broken records day after day,

the sun in all its glory rises and sets

day in and day out.

Always faithful, it never fails.

Above the slowly receding lake,

the sun in all its splendor shines,

adding breath-taking beauty to an otherwise depressing sight.

I can focus on the dead trees rising out of the lake,

or I can enjoy the majesty of the sunset.

No matter how low we may feel

or how scorching the situations that threaten to shrivel our souls,

the Son shines

in all His glory

day in and day out.

Always faithful, He never fails.

~~~~~~~~~

Turn your eyes upon Jesus;

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

~Lyrics by Helen Lemmel and Ken Bible~

Inside Job

I thought it was dead.  

Completely destroyed by the record-breaking heat and drought.

That's what I thought.

That's the way it looked.

But who am I to judge any of God's creations -

   a bush . . . circumstances . . . a person?

He is the master of "inside jobs" -

creating hope and newness,

giving life,

even when we can't see it.

Even when we've given up.

He is not willing that any perish.

That's what I think.

That's what I know.

~~~~~~~

 

In His time, in His time;

He makes all things beautiful 

In His time.

~Lyrics by Diane Ball~

Share the Trail

(Click on pic to enlarge.)

Share the trail.

Walk slowly.

Stop along the way.

Enjoy the scenery.

Learn from each other.

Savor the moments.

Trails diverge.

Time moves on.

 Memories last a lifetime.

(Pic - John David and grandson Aiden 9-10-11)

God bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her 

And guide her

Through the night

With the light

From above.

God's words to Moses in Exodus 3:7-8: 

I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.  I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.  So I have come down to rescue them . . .

He still sees 
and hears 
and is concerned
about His people
today.

He still comes down to rescue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 1714, Isaac Watts penned these timeless words:
O, God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home. 

Blessed Assurance

Unlike the dandelion, which is at the mercy of the wind, the committed Christian finds purpose and stability and security in God's unique plan for his/her life.  God is in the details, and His all-seeing eyes and His infinite wisdom leave nothing to chance.  Winds, both the cooling breezes and the stormy gales are part of life, but even they obey His voice.  He rules the universe, but He's also concerned about the "little" things in my life!  That's blessed assurance!

The following prayer/praise written by Ruth Meyers in her book 31 Days of Praise is one that I return to again and again:

I praise You for Your sovereignty over the details.  With You, nothing is accidental, nothing is incidental, and no experience is wasted.  You hold in Your power my breath of life and all my destiny.  And every trial that You allow to happen is a platform on which You reveal Yourself, showing Your love and power, both to me and to others looking on.  Thank you that I can move into the future nondefensively, with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead, for You hold the future and You will always be with me, even to my old age . . . and through all eternity.

Rest . . .

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

(Mt. 11:28 KJV)