Unfolding Grace

. . . not a day goes by without his unfolding grace . . .
~II Cor. 4:16 The Message~

. . . and it's a beautiful thing!

Life Goes On

This is a purple finch resting atop a bird box . . .

that was meant for the bluebird family . . .

but was seized and claimed by this feisty chickadee and mate.

Sometimes things aren't what they appear to be . . .
or what they are supposed to be . . .

But life goes on!

For the child of God, everything will turn out just fine in the end.
And life will go on forever . . . . . . . . . . . . . and ever!
Just sayin' . . .



Farther along we'll know all about it;
Farther along we'll understand why.
Cheer up, my brother; live in the sunshine.
We'll understand it all bye and bye.
~Lyrics - Farther Along by J.R. Baxter~

Out on a Limb

Sometimes . . .

you have to . . .

go out on a limb.

Scary?
Sometimes.

But it helps to remember that
underneath
are the everlasting arms.

And it helps to remember that
our Perfect Example
went

out on a limb . . .

way out on a limb. . .
and hung there
and died.

For me.
For you.

Heavenly Sunlight

Our plum tree is loaded with small plums like the one you see above. I took this pic just as the sun was going down, and it was breathtaking . . . heavenly! Slowly sinking out of sight behind the trees, its glowing orange color was extraordinary. I placed myself and the camera in a rather uncomfortable position in an attempt to capture the plum in the center of the sun. Not exactly dead center, but I like the way it turned out!

Just as the plum tree needs the sun to produce its fruit, so do I need the Son to produce fruits of righteousness in my life . . . love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self -control. I can't do it own my own no matter how hard I try; I must place myself in His Light - dead center - letting Him shine down in my heart daily and cleanse that which would produce bad fruit. And I can tell you for sure . . . He's still working on me - and will do so until I stand in His presence! I'm so thankful He doesn't just sever me from the Vine because my patience fruit hasn't matured as it should!

And, oh yes . . . I must accept the painful pruning process, too! But the gentle Gardener knows exactly what I need to grow and mature - even when the pruning seems so harsh to me, and I groan with each touch of the pruning tool. He'll do whatever it takes to keep me in the center of His will so that I can reflect His light.

I like this verse of the old hymn Heavenly Sunlight, which expresses where I want to be:

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the Light; in Him is no darkness.
Ever I'm walking close to His side.

~Henry J. Zelley~

Yesterday's sunset . . . no words nor edits needed . . .

Plunge right in . . .

He [Abraham] plunged into the promise and came up strong,
ready for God, sure that God would make good on what He had said.
That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us!
The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless.
The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.
~Romans 4:19 The Message~

What promise have you "plunged into and came up strong"?

Dew Drops

Strong March winds and lack of rain dry out young growth,
sucking the moisture right out of the leaves and the soil.
Then the morning dew falls
and gently refreshes every leaf it touches.
Each droplet is like a tiny jewel sparkling in the Spring sunlight,
making the rose bushes look like they've been sprinkled with diamonds.

If God so faithfully cares for the rose bushes,
how much more will he refresh the souls of His children?
When the winds of life bring dryness
and the swirling grit gets in our eyes and clouds our vision,
He hears our weak cries
and sends the dew.
Just in time it falls.
Refreshing, moisturizing mercy drops . . .
More precious than jewels . . .
Bringing healing and renewal and life!



And if that isn't love,
then the ocean is dry.
There's no stars in the sky
and the sparrow can't fly.
If that isn't love,
then heaven's a myth.
There's no feeling like this -
If that isn't love.
~If That Isn't Love lyrics - Dottie Rambo~

Sheltered

Thou art my hiding place . . .
Psalm 32:7

Thou hast been a shelter for me . . .
Psalm 61:3

I'm thankful for His shelter . . . His umbrella of love and grace . . . in every storm.

A long time ago we sang this little song:
Safe am I; safe am I,
In the shelter of His arms.
Sheltered o'er; sheltered o'er,
With His love forevermore.

The little statue pictured above sits in a little nook of our house in a sheltered, green spot. I took the pic looking through this azalea bush bursting with the color of Spring.

Bubbles and Wheelbarrows

Given the opportunity, kids still enjoy simple, outdoor activities.
At least our grandchildren do!

I must admit I enjoyed watching the bubbles of all sizes float in the breeze -
as well as watching Isaac and Abby chasing them.

Creating their own fun isn't a lost art, and it doesn't take much to make them smile.

Might be a little scary with your brother driving . . . but fun nevertheless!

I'm so thankful for all four of our grandchildren who brighten our days
and give us a fresh look at the world around us!

Thank God for kids; there's magic in a smile . . .

Living Sanctuary

True worship
allows The Light to search
our open, obedient hearts,
so that His likeness can bloom there
and His Light can shine
through these earthen sanctuaries.

"Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy, tried and true;
with thanksgiving, I'll be a living
sanctuary for You."
~Lyrics by John Thompson and Randy Scruggs~

Expectancy

The soft, sweet summer was warm and glowing;
Bright were the blooms on every bough.
I trusted Him when the roses were blooming;

I'll trust Him now . . .

~From "The Song of a Bird in a Winter Storm"~

Hind Feet

Psalm 18:33 (NIV): He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.

Surefooted and confident, the hind (KJV) or female red deer scales the rugged mountains. Without error, she jumps from rock to rock
until she reaches her destination.

I don't know about you, but I need that analogy as I stand at the bottom of a looming mountain from time to time. I need to know that He will keep my feet from slipping and that reaching the top is possible in spite of all obstacles and uncertainties.

I like the word picture created by the last line . . . standing on the heights.
But I can never get there on my own. I need His enabling grace.
Grace . . . His amazing grace . . . is my security!


His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His power has no boundary known unto to men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
~Annie Johnson Flint - He Giveth More Grace~

Click on pics to enlarge.

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul
by a flower in spring bloom,
maybe your soul has never been in bloom.
~Terri Guillemets~

(The blooms are peach, redbud, Japanese magnolia, and plum - in our yard.)

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.

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!

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~

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~

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.

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~

Old Glory: she's worth our pause!

Just for You

(Sunrise - Picayune, MS)

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leave you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing, and listen as heaven whispers,
"Do you like it? I did it just for you."

~Max Lucado~

Now and then we just need somebody else to do the pedaling!


Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am He; I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
~Isaiah 46:5~

Courage Doesn't Roar

Courage does not always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
~Mary Anne Radmacher~

I will try again tomorrow . . .
because He promised to never leave me alone . . .
because He promised that His grace is sufficient.

Wings

A whispered prayer,
a simple child-like faith
that clings to His promises
can put a song in our hearts
and give us wings to rise above shaky circumstances.

And no matter where our flight takes us,
He's always there
holding us close
under His wings.

Seasons

Stripped bare,
they stand tall and stately
warmed by the same sun
that produces green leaves
when Spring comes.

And in the winters of our lives
stripped bare in the bitter cold,
we can stand in The Light
and know without a doubt
that Spring will come.

Pity Party Canceled

The following poem, written almost ten years ago, is a repost of my very first blog entry back in 2008. I wish I could tell you that I never had another such party, but that wouldn't be the truth . . .

I'm having a pity party -
Just me, myself, and I.
We’ll rehash all the hurts and pains,
Each punctuated by “Why?”

What, Lord? Are you invited?
Did my invitations include Your name?
No, Lord, I didn’t include You;
The party wouldn’t be the same.

For if I took just one look
At the nail prints in Your hands,
I’d be reminded of what You endured
And forget my party plans.

And then I’d look into Your loving eyes
And know that You suffered for me.
I’d know that it’s Your power I need –
Not pity – to set me free.

On second thought, Lord,
Would you come in and take a chair?
Forgive me of my selfish plans,
And lift me from the pit of care.

I’ll get out my very best cup, Lord,
And ask You to fill it to overflow
With Your power, Your Spirit, Your grace -
Then I’ll drink and in Your strength go.
~G. Thaxton - 2001~

I'm so thankful that God is patient and loving and understands each of the emotions and phases of my life - and yours! Because He became flesh and dwelt among us, He is able to feel every pain and disappointment and raw emotion that we feel. However, He reminds us to get our eyes off our problems and look to Him, the author and finisher of our faith.

Reuben Welch says it this way: Jesus entrance into our human situation was not a temporary visit but a permanent involvement! The God of the Universe involved in every detail of my life - on this day in 2011 and for the long haul! I like that! And if I remember that, there'll be no need to waste my time and energy having pity parties.

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord . . .

EDIT 1-13: Oops! Looking back at my blog, I realized that this poem was not the first post but one of several that I posted the first day of blogging - in Feb. of 2009.

Colorful Reminders

God must really enjoy splashing hues of every color across the world's canvas. Each season His handiwork shines - each piece of His colorful creation beautifully declaring His glory. Winter is no exception, even though browns and grays (and whites if you live in snow country) seem to be the dominant colors. But not all is drab! Look closely among the fallen leaves and the barren branches, and you'll find shades of blue and red and yellow - color with wings flitting from limb to limb . . . lighting on the deadness of winter . . . bringing cheer and song.

I'm thankful that as I continue to recover from the flu on the coldest days of winter thus far, I have been able to sit at the window and enjoy the color and antics of pine warblers, sparrows, goldfinches, blue jays, black birds, nuthatches, doves, a titmouse and the cardinals as they fed near the front porch.

And I remember that He watches over them all . . . and if His eye is on the sparrow, I know He watches me!

(These pics are not as clear as I'd like because my window needs cleaning!)

Tiptoe Ahead!

Patience walks with steady tread;
Faith with uplifted head;
but Hope,
tiptoeing on ahead,
sees first the sun arise!
~author unknown - printed in Reflecting God devotional~


Patience . . . Faith . . . Hope . . .
I want all three as my traveling companions this year!
I NEED all three as I face the unknowns of 2011!
However, the two little words "but Hope" speak the loudest to me just now.
. . . but Hope . . .

Problems will arise . . . but Hope
Obstacles may loom like impassable mountains . . . but Hope
Prayers may seemingly rise no higher than the ceiling . . . but Hope
Storm clouds will hide the sun . . . but Hope
. . . but Hope!
Always Hope!

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
~Hebrews 6:19~

And as one of my favorite songs by Ray Boltz says:
The anchor holds though the ship is battered.
The anchor holds though the sails are torn . . .
The anchor holds in spite of the storms.
(You can hear the entire song on my playlist.)