Monday, April 30, 2012

Lily of the Valley


I have found a friend in Jesus; He’s everything to me. 
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see 
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole. 
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay; 
He tells me every care on Him to roll. 

Refrain: 
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star;
 He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
~Charles W. Fry~

Although my Easter lilies are late blooming, I am glad The Lily of the Valley is always in season . . . always blooming . . . always adding beauty to our lives . . . and He's always on time - His time, not mine!




Friday, April 27, 2012

Focused



Philippians 3:12-16 (The Message)

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. 

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

 I say:  Let's keep our eyes on the prize!



Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Son Ripened



Should we be satisfied just believing in Christ and not longing to move more and more into His fullness?  No! . . . To ripen in grace, we must live close to Jesus, in His presence, ripened by the sunshine of His smiles. 
~Charles Spurgeon~


More of You, more of You;
I've had all but what I need -
just more of You.
Of things I've had my fill,
and yet I hunger still.
Empty and bare, Lord, hear my prayer
for more of You.
~Lyrics to More of You - Gloria Gaither~


But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior,
 Jesus Christ.
II Peter 3:18

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Family Outing


Family outing 
We all need one now and then 
Makes life sunnier


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Whose Strength?

Grandson Aiden


He stepped out of the pool 
and flexed his muscles
showing off his new physique.

I laughed at the results 
of his creative bodybuilding
and his self-made muscles.

He's just a kid at play
so pretending to be strong
is an OK fun thing.

But . . . I wonder how many times
I've flexed my own self-made muscles
and have forgotten the source of my strength.

I should know better by now
but He is patient and reminds me
again and again of the truth:

He is my strength
and His power not my might
makes me more than a conqueror.

Through Him I can do all things
for when I have no strength left
 His strength never fails.




Monday, April 16, 2012

As We Turn . . .



Different stages of growth 
so obvious in the unfolding leaves and blooms 
remind me that as Christ followers,
we only grow, mature, and bloom 
as we turn toward His light. 

We need not compare our maturity to others
for He has a growth plan designed for each of us,
 an unfolding good plan full of hope and a future 
and blooms that add beauty and fragrance 
as we turn toward His light.


The unfolding of your words gives light.
Psalm 119:130


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Heart Reflections



As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
Proverbs 27:19


Notice how closely attached the reflection is to the grass.  It's hard to tell where the reflection begins.  It's also true that reflections don't lie!  I know there are lesson there for me . . . lessons about staying close to Him . . . abiding . . .  and letting Him change me into His likeness.

So . . . this song is my prayer:
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.
~Graham Kendrick - Shine on Me~

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Feel the Pull?



I read these words in my devotional for today:
 God permits temptation because it does for us what the storms do for the oaks - it roots us. . . .You never know that you have a grip on Christ, or that He has a grip on you, as well as when the devil is using all his force to attract you from Him; then you feel the pull of Christ's right hand.
~Streams in the Desert~

His hand, reaching out and holding tightly to mine, makes all the difference!  And His comforting words reassure:
I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'




Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Winged Hope


How the waiting countryside thrills with joy when Bluebird brings us the first word of returning spring. Reflecting heaven from his back and the ground from his breast, he floats between sky and earth like the winged voice of hope.
                                         ~W. L. Dawson~

 


How many are your works, O Lord! 
In wisdom you made them all; 
the earth is full of your creatures. 
~Psalm 104:24~


Monday, April 9, 2012

Lighthouse



I like surprises when I download pics!  Reflections from the late afternoon sun's rays gave this beautiful old church in Fisher, Louisiana, a most interesting look!  The light, which seems to be coming out the window, is quite fitting anytime, but especially on Easter Sunday, don't you think?




Saturday, April 7, 2012

In Between



In our Easter celebration, today is the "in between day" . . . 
In between "It is finished!" and "He is risen!" . . . 
In between despair and victory . . . 
In between death and life . . . 
But "in between times" don't last forever! 
God is at work . . . even those times . . . even when we can't see it. 
It's Saturday . . . but Sunday's a'comin'!



Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Cross


two
rugged
pieces 
of 
wood 
 bearing the once-and-for-all Sacrifice for my sins
bloody 
cruel 
mocking 
BUT 
what 
happened 
there 
made 
all the 
difference
 in my 
LIFE 

~~~~~~~~~
I will praise Him forever and ever;
for the Cross made the difference for me. 

 

Monday, April 2, 2012

Hope



Hope is the thing with feathers, 
that perches in the soul, 
and sings the tune without words, 
and never stops at all.
~Emily Dickinson~ 





Sunday, April 1, 2012