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

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~

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.'

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~

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?

He Lives!

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'!

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. 

 

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~ 

A Pause

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 

Praise Him!

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

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~

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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)

Celebrate Spring!

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~

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)

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!

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.

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~

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

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!

Holding-on Faith

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

 ~unknown ~

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

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~