Away from the mire . . .

Moving cows to the back pasture is part of grandson Isaac's weekday routine.  When he cranks up the four-wheeler and heads to the big gate, the cows and calves immediately move toward him.  They've learned to follow him - no prodding, no driving.  As you can see, it's sometimes a messy job, but it's a part of his day that he really enjoys.  The ground gets boggy and muddy and mucky in places.  But he and the cows don't let that stop them from going through the mud then the gate to greener pastures.  Later in the day, he leads them back to the pasture close to the house.

I know all of this because he asked me to go with him one chilly morning while we were visiting, and I cherish those moments together . . . our conversation . . .  the cold wind in our faces . . . speeding through the pasture and all the "stuff" that one finds in a cow pasture!  I wouldn't trade those few minutes for anything - in spite of my outlandish attire and the fact that the four-wheeler was .  . . well, let's just say it had been through the muck and mire and "stuff" a few times!

Away from the mire and away from the clay, God leads His dear children along.  These words from an old hymn have played in my mind this week, and I can really relate to those words.  Life leads us to some messy, mucky places.  We can choose to get bogged down there in the mire, or we can follow our Leader through the muddy mess, then through the gate He opens and move into greener pastures.  He chooses not to drive us but goes ahead of us.  As we learn to identify His voice and learn that He can be trusted, following Him becomes the pattern of our daily lives.  And at the end of the day - whenever that might be - we can trust Him to lead us Home.

Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood.

Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song

In the night season and all the day long. 

~God Leads Us Along lyrics - G. A. Young, 19th century~

View From My Backyard

The delicate blooms on our plum tree are beautiful! What could make a more striking background than the breath-taking sunset pictured below?  The colors in the western sky were simply gorgeous one evening last week when I snapped these photos.  This Masterpiece needs no edits or enhancements!  I'm thinking the Master artist must enjoy choosing hues and splashing color across the sky at the end of the day . . .  and I think He enjoys our awe-inspired appreciation of His handiwork.   An incredible sunset . . . blooming fruit trees - just two of the countless gifts I can enjoy in my backyard!  

To God be the glory; great things He hath done!

Standing

Standing 

Grounded 

Rooted 

Experiencing . . . 

Winter 

Spring 

Summer 

 Fall 

Enduring . . . 

Drought 

Heat 

Cold 

Storms 

Providing . . . 

Shelter 

Shade 

Refuge 

Beauty 

Standing tall 

Grounded solidly 

 Rooted deeply


So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, 
continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him,
 strengthened in the faith as you were taught,
and overflowing with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6 

Therefore, put on the full armor of God . . . 
and after you have done everything, to stand.  
Stand firm then . . . 
Ephesians 6:13-14



(Note:  Each time we visit Cades Cove near Gatlinburg, TN, this lone, spreading tree captures my attention, and I've taken numerous photos of it. )

Splashes of Cheer

Yellow has always been a cheerful color to me.  I love its sunshiny presence inside my house and in blooms outside. These splashes of  cheer popped up throughout the day yesterday.

Today, Grandson Aiden is back at his house, and I may not walk the trail to enjoy the yellow blooms. Those spots of cheer are not permanent; they are here today and gone tomorrow.  But I know One who is always present, always in season, always ready to speak words of cheer. Listen:

In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.

 John 16:33

Son, [daughter], be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 9:2

Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Mark 6:50

Fences and Greener Grass

The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. 

No, not at all. Fences have nothing to do with it. 

The grass is greenest where it is watered. 

When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.

~Robert Fulghum~

Perched atop

 rust

barbed wire

spider webs

he adds 

color to the drabness

softness to the stark harshness

and beauty to the ugliness.

Isn't that what

we are called

to do?

Even in the midst

of our weakness

our pain

and our humanity

His beauty can shine.

Lord, I don't always feel that I have much to offer to a hurting world.

I certainly don't "have it all together."

And then you remind me that it's not about ME and MY strengths.

It's about what YOU can do through me, for when I am weak

then your strength and beauty can shine.

Your light can burst through every crack in my life

IF I surrender it to you.  

I can't think of anything more beautiful than that.

Thank You - and please remind me again and again.

Amen.

Just As I Am . . . and Running

Just as I am 

I ran to Him 

And mercy took me in 

Just as I am 

And He forgave my sin 

All the way He’s changing my heart proves 

That He loves me too much 

To leave me

Just as I am

These beautiful words touched my heart as I listened to them on Enlighten XM radio yesterday.  And I wonder why we are so afraid to run to Him, the One who has all the answers, loves us unconditionally and desires to change us into His likeness.  For sure there are many reasons, but the bottom line is that satan wants us to believe that we can't . . . shouldn't . . . because He is too holy and we can't approach Him . . . because He tires of our coming again and again to Him . . . because we really don't matter to Him . . . because we are not good enough . . .because . . . because . . . because . . .

But satan is a liar . . . a deceiver . . . a defeated liar . . . a doomed deceiver.

So, let's run to Jesus . . . run . . . run . . . He's running to us with outstretched arms!

Just as I am . . . O Lamb of God, I come . . . I come!

(Note:  Lyrics below pic - composed by Jim Brady, Barry Weeks, and Tony Wood . . . recorded by Lauren Talley)

Inventory Time

 

I know it's just birds, and I realize the quality of the pic is not good (it was taken at a distance and through a window).  

But it gave me something to think about:  What is my attitude when someone different invades MY space?

Lord, help me to see others through your eyes.  
Give me a compassionate heart and a gracious spirit.  
Help me to love as You love.
Forgive me when I haven't.
Amen. 

In Process

Being transformed

into His likeness

not what we once were

not what we will be.

Growing

raising our eyes

opening our hearts

to the Light.

The Bridge

Love built a bridge

indestructibly strong

accessible to all

spanning the ages

from His holiness

to our humanity.

Love stretched out His hands

hammers pounding

nails piercing

blood flowing

until He pronounced

the bridge finished.

Love built a bridge . . .

Get a Grip!

~~ Sometimes we just need to get a new grip on grace. ~~

Promise

A tiny bud

so full of promise

hardly visible to the eye.

A tiny spark of faith

so full of promise

never overlooked by His all-seeing eye.

He Sees . . . He Cares!

 

  

Watching the flurry of birds outside my windows is a blessing to me . . . a simple pleasure that never gets old!  As I watch them, I think of Someone else who's watching them and who sees every one that falls.  (Matt. 10:29)  And more importantly, I'm reminded that He's watching over me. . . that He sees every detail of my life, every need, every tiny step of faith.  He sees . . . and He responds in unconditional love!  I like the comforting words of the following old hymn written by Civilla Martin and published in 1905.  No one can sing it like Ethel Waters did when she sang with the Billy Graham Crusades around the world!

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. 

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

 Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

EDIT 2:30 p.m :  I just added a beautiful version of the song by Selah to my playlist (bottom right sidebar) , so turn up your volume if you'd like to hear it.

Sunrise

Each new sunrise

wrapped in light

and tied with promise

offers

new opportunities

to love

to grow

to serve

and to move closer

to the Son.

Color Your World!

May we step out of the shadows

and into His light.

May the brightness of His presence

shine through us

bringing cheer

and adding color

to the drabness around us.

And may we never forget

that even when we are not aware

someone is watching us!

May what they see

add richness

and smiles

and beauty

to their lives.

(Note:  I snapped this shot through the window as I sat quietly watching
the flurry of birds feeding outside.)

Happiness is looking in the mirror and liking what you see.

~copied~

So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged Cross

and exchange it someday for a crown. 

Edit:  I am not referring to seeing myself but the Cross in this mirror :)

Rust Prevention

 

Someone has said, "Anxiety is the rust of life, 

destroying its brightness and weakening its power."

 

A wise man said, "An anxious heart weighs a man down."

(Proverbs 12:25)

Jesus said, "Do not worry about your life . . . 

Do not worry about tomorrow. . . "

(Matt. 6: 25,34)

Over and over God, our Father, says, "Fear not."

I say, "Why do I forget so quickly?  

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me.

I don't want to get rusty, dull, weighed down and powerless.

I trust You."

Test Time

When you're going through something hard

and you wonder where God is,

remember the teacher is always quiet

during a test.

~ quote copied from Trust in the Lord's Facebook page ~

Did Someone Push the Pause Button?

    

Pauses in life, interruptions, unexpected circumstances come to all of us.  We don't get to choose the timing, do we?  And often we wonder how they fit into the good plans God has for us.  For now, we can trust that God knows best and that He is never caught off guard by anything that happens to us.  One day we'll see the big picture and understand how all the pieces of our lives fit.

John David and I would never have chosen to have Christmas with part of the family and a week with our grandchildren postponed, nor would we have requested to spend New Years in the hospital.  Just wasn't in our plans.  But it happened.  John David became very sick and spent a week in the hospital recovering from pancreatitis, gall bladder surgery and other health issues.  We are so thankful for God's healing touch and His very real presence with us in room 815 - especially in some very frightening moments. 

On New Year's Eve the nurse remarked that we had the best view in the house for the fireworks that would soon fill the night sky over the Red River.  So after John David's pain was eased with strong medicine and he rested, I turned off all the lights in the room, sat at the big window and enjoyed the colors that exploded along the skyline.  I watched the lines of traffic below move along, carrying those whose lives were not on "pause." Was it where I wanted to be?  Of course not!  But I'll always remember that night and the unexpected enjoyment that I experienced in that quiet room.  Even in the dark times, His Light bursts into our night!

We had just celebrated the birth of our Emmanuel, God with us.  And He certainly was.  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . so He understands our pain, our interruptions, our disappointments.  He truly is the God of the pauses!

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

Thanks to those who have expressed concern for my blogging absence.  I appreciate you!  Hopefully, I'll get rested up and be back reading your blogs and posting on mine.  But before I do that, we're going to finish celebrating Christmas with family!

J - O - Y!!

Our four grandchildren - Christmas '08
One of my favorite Christmas pics


Christmas is not about what we want.  
It's about what we have.
~from Josie's Gift - a favorite children's book, which I just read again~

HOPE

Hope really floats this time of year!

Children hope for certain gifts under the tree.  Parents hope all the family can enjoy Christmas together. The lonely just hope for a smile, an encouraging word, a phone call. Some hope for a white Christmas, while others hope they have the means to keep their home and children warm.  Shoppers hope that the recipients of their gifts are pleased, yet those who cannot buy for others hope for a better year next year.  Cooks hope that each dish they prepare turns out just perfect.  The hungry hope for a miracle that will keep them from starving. And the list goes on and on . . . hoping, hoping, hoping.

All of these scenarios are realities, but in this Advent season we are reminded of a much greater reality.  Over 2000 years ago in an humble setting, Hope Himself was born.  Because He came, we can experience hope - no matter our circumstances.   A relationship with Him gives us hope for today . . . for all our tomorrows . . . for eternity.

I hope that each of you hears the  beautiful, life-giving whispers of Hope during this Christmas season.  And may we all share His hope with the hurting world around us.

Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion
Whispers her comforting word:
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone 

Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice,

Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

~Lyrics - Whispering Hope~

Love Came

Love came down
all the way
D
O
W

N

to the muck and mire and messiness

right where we were . . .

 and forever changed history.

And He still comes

to where we are

no matter how messy

or how deep we're stuck in the muck and mire . . .

and His coming

forever changes our lives.

~gt~

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Circle That!

A circle
reminds me of
 days when I go round and round
and accomplish little.

A circle
reminds me of
my family
and the love we share.

A circle
reminds me of
lines that are drawn
leaving some on the outside.


A circle
reminds me of
God's love -
never-ending, all-inclusive.

You can circle that in red.
He did.

Thanksgiving Roses

Praise the Lord; praise the Lord.

Let the earth hear His voice.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father thro' Jesus the Son,

 And give Him the glory -

GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE.

~ Words to hymn written by Fanny Crosby ~

~ Roses - blooming now in my yard ~

November Reflections

Psalm 103:1-5

(NIV)

   

Praise the LORD, my soul;    
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the LORD, my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
   and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
   and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

As Thanksgiving approaches, these verses have come to mind several times.  I am so, so grateful for all his benefits: forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion, good things . . . . . but . . . I'm not so sure I get the part about my youth being renewed like an eagle's!

And then He reminds me of so many occasions during the past two weeks when I knew those words to be true!  You see, I have been able to spend time with each of our four grandchildren, and if you're a grandparent, you know exactly what I mean!  There's just something about being with children and teens that brings out the kid in me - and you, too, I'm sure.  Inhibitions are lost -- to a safe and somewhat-sane degree -- and it's so easy to laugh, be silly, sing, play crazy games, dance, dream . . . . . And then my not-so-young body reminds me that I can't keep up with the grands for very long.  But for those priceless moments my youth is renewed like an eagles. . . and memories are made that last a lifetime, even as birthdays just keep rolling by.

And I am thankful.

Resting Place

If I forget, yet God remembers.
If these hands of mine cease from their clinging,
yet the hands divine hold me so firmly
I cannot fall.
And if sometimes I am too tired to call for Him to help me,
then He reads the prayer unspoken in my heart
and lifts my care.
~Robert Browning~ 

Click on pic to enlarge.

Slow Traffic Ahead!

                        

Narrow roads, blind curves, 

Speed limit 5 mph -

Sounds like our journey through life sometimes.

We need a Guide who has gone before us.

We need Jesus.

Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us,

For we need you to help us find our way.

~Gaither~

Spectacular Beauty

The older I get, the more I am in awe of God's spectacular creation! Words don't exist to describe the beauty He has created. For a few days, John David and I enjoyed a minute part of His beautiful world, and of course, I took hundreds of pics. I'll share just a few of my favorites today.

The snow pics are in the Smoky Mountains near Clingman's Dome, the highest point in Tennessee.

 

North Carolina

Northern Georgia

On the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina

Near Cherokee, North Carolina

Cades Cove - Tennessee

Near Cades Cove

Roaring Forks Falls near Gatlinburg

One of my favorite photos . . . in Cades Cove after a rain.  I couldn't get my camera aimed fast enough when we drove upon this scene . . . turkeys and deer crossing the road at the same time!

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord.

Psalm 150:1