Saturday, March 31, 2012

Praise Him!



Note: I chose this rose bud because it looks as if it is lifting hands toward heaven!




Thursday, March 29, 2012

Redeemable


Some old things are worth saving while others end up in the trash. 
Not so with people . . . people made in His image . . .
people loved unconditionally by their Creator.

Jesus came to
restore
remold
remake
reclaim
redeem
and
He never throws out anyone.
He thinks we're ALL to die for!

Of course, He is a gentleman, and He will not force any of us to be redeemed.
It's a choice each of us must make.
But He stands with outstretched, nail-scared hands saying, "Come."

~~~~~~~~~~~


Jesus to Calv'ry did go,
His love for mankind to show.
What He did there brought hope from despair.
Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how He loves me,
Oh how He loves you and me.

~Lyrics by Kurt Kaiser~

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

At Rest


Words of Jesus: 
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 
and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 
for I am gentle and humble in heart, 
and you will find rest for your souls. 
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 
~Matthew 11:28-30~


In the 1800's, songwriter Jean Sophia Pigott wrote these words:
Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of thy loving heart.



Monday, March 26, 2012

Spring is a'hummin' . . .


The hummers are back!

I'm always so excited to see the first one, and along with many other "firsts" this year, they are early.  But that's fine with me!  They are one of my favorites of all God's creations, and I'm sure their antics and beauty will provide me with many hours of enjoyment.

Seems that God is lavishing His awesome creativity on us this Spring in so many ways . . . warm temps, blue skies, color popping out everywhere, the greenest of green new leaves, birds chirping - and early hummingbirds!  Today I counted 100+ buds on my rosebushes.

It's true:  Spring is a'hummin' and I like her tune!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Everyday Jewels



Everyday jewels . . .
 We often fail to see them.
God doesn't!
He's in the details.
Just look at His world.
 Look intentionally and closely at His creations.
Just look into His story - from Genesis to Revelation.




Friday, March 23, 2012

Contagious

 

Prickly breeds prickly . . . 
Ouch! 

Attitudes are contagious.
Are mine worth spreading?

Lord, help me.


 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement 
give you the same attitude of mind toward each other
 that Christ Jesus had. 
 Romans 15:4



Thursday, March 22, 2012

First Rose



Springtime's first rose
hiding under a lush green canopy
will soon lose its shyness
and take center stage
  before sharing the spotlight with other beauties.


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Shelter


From my comfortable chair by the window, I watched the downpours throughout the day.  Our yard took on the look of a pond under dark skies that threatened storms.

I watched a variety of birds seeking shelter from the rain under the eaves of the house and on our small concrete porch.  Feeders hanging at the porch's edge are an attraction.  With feathers pelted by the rain, sparrows, cardinals, doves, cowbirds, and finches found a dry spot and got their fill at the same time.

And once again I am reminded that I have a shelter . . . a refuge . . . a place to go when difficulties come like a flood and storm clouds seem the norm.  It's a shelter that's always open . . . always safe . . . always nurturing. . . always free.

For You have been my refuge . . . and I am sheltered safe within the arms of God.





Monday, March 19, 2012

Abiding . . . Growing . . . Producing



Abiding daily
Always attached to the vine
Nurtured by the gardener

Growing heavenward
Adding delicate beauty
Tended with great care


 


Producing good fruit
Rooted deeper year by year
Pruned by loving hands





(Peach and plum trees and blueberry bush in our yard)



Saturday, March 17, 2012

A Prayer for Wholeness

 


Father, accept my imperfect repentance,
 have compassion on my infirmities,
forgive my faults,
 purify my uncleanness, 
strengthen my weakness,
fix my unstableness, 
and let your good Spirit watch over me forever,
and your love ever rule in my heart,
through the merits and sufferings and love of your Son,
in whom you are always well pleased.
Amen.

~John Wesley in Ashes to Fire~



Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Aroma of Life



Exquisite fragrance 
Rising on gentle breezes 
Smells of earth's rebirth


Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. 
Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, 
which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—
an aroma redolent with life.
 II Corinthians 2:14-15 (The Message)



Monday, March 12, 2012

The Gate



Some gates lead nowhere.


But Jesus says:
I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:9

You can trust The Gate to lead you to everlasting life!




Saturday, March 10, 2012

Windblown


The wind blew 
hard 
very hard. 

His feathers were ruffled 
and he spread his feet 
and held on. 

I've felt the winds blowing 
hard 
very hard.  

I've been ruffled 
and battered 
trying to hold on.  

It was the same One 
who watches out for the birds 
who held me. 

It's His call
to calm the winds
or me.





Friday, March 9, 2012

A Place in the Sun



Finding your place in the sun is sometimes all uphill and slippery,
you may have to stick your neck out to get there,
 and it may be a balancing act to stay there -
but soaking in light and warmth makes it worth the effort!
~me~


Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Value of a Child


Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.
~Wess Stafford in Reflecting God Devotional~


People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. 
He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God 
like a little child will never enter it."  
And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them
 and blessed them.
Mark 9:13-16


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Close Up



Seeing close up 
always gives a different perspective.
Details come into focus.
Beauty we have not seen from a distance may surprise us 
and we get as close as we can.

Being close up 
with Jesus changes our perspective.
We learn who He really is.
His awesome beauty and amazing love come into focus
and make us want to get closer still. 

It's up to us
to make time
to get close to Him -
to get to know Him.
Close up time with Him is life changing!




Monday, March 5, 2012

Holding-on Faith



Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to.
 ~unknown ~



Saturday, March 3, 2012

Timeshare

~Grandson Aiden and Poppa 2-23-12 ~


two talking boy stuff
important moments ease by
memories remain

............................

two talking heart stuff
God and I meeting alone
strength and faith renewed


Friday, March 2, 2012

Music to the Soul

The presence of grandchildren is music to the soul . . . each one creating his or her own unique melody and rhythm as varied as their personalities.   God must take great delight in them, too, as He listens to their heart songs, their life songs.  He gifts each one with talents and abilities that have the potential of making our world a more beautiful place.

Granddaughter Em plays the piano, and I love hearing her play when we visit her family.  Since I don't have a piano, sometimes when she is visiting here, we go to the church and she plays for me.  I sit on the front pew in that quiet, peaceful place, and she plays my favorite along with other songs.




My favorite is the old hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus."  I really can't explain the feeling that song - in that setting - brings to my heart and mind.  I can tell you it's one of joy and comfort and reassurance.  You may know the words, but if not the refrain goes like this:

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.
~Helen H. Lemmel~