He Is Risen!

Photo attribution here

But when they looked up,
 they saw that the stone,
which was very large,
had been rolled away.Mark 16:4

This is a photo of a roadside grave in Israel.  This source has more interesting photos.   If you'd care to view more, click on  "here"  under the photo.
Viewing this hits home the fact that it was difficult to gain access to the graves of Jesus' time unless you had a pick.  It also shows how the grave was sealed.  Rolling the stone away was a very hard task.  That stone looks very heavy so the swoon theory is thrown out.  Since the grave was guarded, no one could have been sneaky enough to rob the grave without alerting the guards.
 My Redeemer lives.

Thankful

I will praise the Lord God

 with a song 

and a thankful heart.

Psalm 79:30

(photo attribution)

 I'm thankful

that Christ died for me,

 was raised to life

 and offered a place for me in heaven

 with him for all eternity.

I'm thankful for a family 

who loves us and each other.

 I'm thankful for our church who offers us 

a place to serve the Lord and others,

I'm thankful for a job

 that gives me the opportunity 

to use the abilities God has given me.

Yes, I'm thankful.

God's Spring Surprise

Photo attribution here

Winter is past, 

the rain has stopped; 

 flowers cover the earth,

 it's time to sing. 

 The cooing of doves 

is heard in our land. 

Song of Songs 2:11-12

...and the bluebirds are in our new bluebird house!

Cravings

The last five of our fourteen grandchildren

Therefore, rid yourselves of

 all malice and all deceit, 

hypocrisy, envy,

 and slander of every kind.

  Like newborn babies,

 crave pure spiritual milk, 

so that by it you may grow up

in your salvation,

  now that you have tasted 

that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:1-3

Can old, sinful people become like newborns again--beautiful, innocent, open to learning?

Yes, we have to crave the right food--the bread of life.

The Right House

Photo attribution here

 Come to Jesus Christ.
He is the living stone that people have rejected, but
 which God has chosen and highly honored.
  And now you are living stones
that are being used to build a spiritual house.
 You are also a group of holy priests,
and with the help of Jesus Christ
you will offer sacrifices that please God. 
1 Peter 2:4-5

House hunting?
Be sure you choose the right one but
 remember that you were first chosen by God to represent Him.  Anything you do will witness positively or negatively to your family and the people with whom you come in contact.  How can we be what God wants in His world if we don't live in a "spiritual house?"

Don't Worry. Be Happy.

Photo attribution here

If you worry about the weather
and don't plant seeds,
you won't harvest a crop.
Ecclesiastes 11:4

We're not in control.
We do what we are lead to do,
leave the rest to God and be glad.
Happy Spring.

Finding My Footing

Photo attribution here

Just looking at this photo makes my palms sweat and my heart rate go up.  This is the last place you would find me on this earth.  Sometimes I find myself in situations that bring those same symptoms--I'm afraid.
Most of the time when I face fear, I'm either not prepared, surprised, or intimidated.  Sometimes I question whether I'm in God's will or not and other times there is no question. I know that I am. (The above situation would not be one of those.)  
I keep climbing, praying that God would reveal his will to me and as I climb and I thank Him for the opportunity to do so.

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
 May your Gracious Spirit
lead me forward
on a firm footing.
Psalm 143:10

Contentment

photo attribution here

It is better to enjoy what we have
than to always want something else
because that makes no more sense
than chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:9
Contemporary English Version (CEV)copyright © American Bible Society, 1995.

Retirement is looking better every day. I miss not being able to create beautiful things.  I realize that God has put me where I am for a purpose but sometimes it's difficult knowing why.  I need to heed this verse before I blow with the wind.

Spring?

photo attribution here

Everything on earth
 has its own time
 and its own season.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society


The time is just not right yet, I guess, nor is it the season.

We wait.

Happy

Photo attribution here

 God’s Spirit makes us loving,
 happy, peaceful, patient,
kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.
 There is no law against behaving
in any of these ways.

Galatians 5:22-23
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

The Holy Spirit makes us happy
and (to borrow a saying I read recently)...
I want to be around people who make me laugh so hard that I forget the bad.  I want to avoid pointless drama and the people who make it.  I want to focus on the good because life it too short for it to be anything but Happy.

Hope Prayer

Photo attribution here

May the God of hope
 fill you with all joy and peace
 as you trust in him,
 so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 

Here's my prayer for today.

 I'm hoping for God's promised Spring.
Thank you, Lord, for the joy of a peaceful morning.
  Thank you, Lord, that I can put my trust in you.

What To Wear?

Doll by Sally L. Smith

As God’s chosen people,
holy and dearly loved,
 clothe yourselves with
compassion,
kindness,
humility,
gentleness
and
 patience. 

Colossians 3:12

I made this doll a number of years ago when I was a member of a Christian art group.  It's a little over the top, fashion-speaking, but it gets the point across.  The attributes listed above should be what people see in me--not what I wear or how my hair is styled, what perfume I choose or the  designer of my shoes.  I need to post this list as a reminder of what God expects of his "holy and dearly loved"--me...
and you.

Making the Effort

Photo attribution here

 Make every effort 

to add to your faith goodness;

 and to goodness, knowledge;

 and to knowledge, self-control;

 and to self-control, perseverance; 

and to perseverance, godliness; 

and to godliness, mutual affection; 

and to mutual affection, love. 

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, 

they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive

 in your knowledge 

of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Peter 1:5-8

It is an effort but I want to be effective and productive in knowing Jesus so...

here goes another day.

Pass It On

Photo attribution here

These commandments that I give you today

 are to be on your hearts. 

Impress them on your children. 

Talk about them when you sit at home

 and when you walk along the road, 

when you lie down 

and when you get up. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

This scripture is one of my favorites and is so important to follow if Christians want the gospel to exist in the next generation.  It only takes one generation of parents who are lax in passing on the Word of God before there are no more Christians.

This photo is unique in that the Amish, a very strict order of Christianity, never want their photographs taken due to the fact that they might be taken as vain in the eyes of God.  Click on the "here" under the photo to see the comments made by the photographer.

Where's My Light?

Photo attribution here

You are the light of the world--
like a city on a mountain,  glowing in the night for all to see.
Don’t hide your light under a basket!
Instead, put it on a stand  and let it shine for all. Matthew 5:14-15
I'd like to share part of a devotional that comes to me every week from Bible Gateway.  It encompasses my feelings.  I know I am not alone in my inward battle of wanting to do something great for God while fighting the feeling of being unworthy to be used by God to further His kingdom on earth.

I didn’t realize that my brokenness is actually a blessing that has kept me desperate for God in my 22 years of ministry.

Our amazing God in His grace knows how to transform our messes into a message of hope!--
--Sheri Rose Shepherd
She includes a prayer she wrote as God may have stated it:
My Child,

I stepped into your darkness so you would shine for Me. Did you know that I have empowered you to light up the lives of everyone around you? You are My light to the world. So walk with me and let Me illuminate your life today with My love and My power. Look to Me, and I will make you the bright spot in someone's darkness today.

Don’t hide your light beneath your uncertainties and insecurities. Spend more time with me and I will make you glow with a godliness that’s irresistible. If you will let Me, I’ll make you shine in such a way that you will be My star that points to heaven and brings hope to the hurting.

Love,

Your King and True Light of the world

Before the Beginning of Time

Photo attribution here

He has saved us 

and called us to a holy life—

not because of anything we have done 

but because of his own purpose and grace.

 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus

 before the beginning of time, 

2 Timothy 1:9

God has a plan for each of us who love the Lord--a plan to live a holy life.

How I miss the mark so many times though it is my desire to live like He wants.  

While we are in this world, we have an adversary who confounds our

meager attempts for holiness--one who loves twisting the knife in our wounds.

God has an eternal plan for him, too, though.  This keeps me moving toward the goal.

Long Term Planning

photo attribution here

Lord, you are my God;

 I will exalt you and praise your name,

 for in perfect faithfulness

 you have done wonderful things,

 things planned long ago. 

Isaiah 25:1

I am glad that my calling has lasted a lifetime...that God has continued to see fit to use me in his ministry with music.  Thank you for the opportunity of service, Lord.

Nobody Knows the Trouble

Photo attribution here

Praise be to the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of compassion

 and the God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our troubles,

 so that we can comfort those in any trouble

 with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

1 Corinthians 1:3-4

I need to look at this photo anytime I think I have troubles.  I can't even imagine the pain this person went through trying to find a remnant of her past.  Lord, thank you for the comfort you give to those who ask.  Help me to comfort others as well.

Keeping to the Path

Photo attribution here

But he knows the way that I take;

 when he has tested me, 

I will come forth as gold. 

My feet have closely followed his steps; 

I have kept to his way

 without turning aside. 

Job 23:10-11

Goal for the day: 

 to speak these words of Job at day's end.

Looking Forward to the Maze

Photo attribution here

Let the morning 

bring me word 

of your unfailing love, 

for I have put my trust in you. 

 Show me the way

 I should go, 

for to you

 I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:8

It's Wednesday for the church musician.  That means, for me, I'll be playing music all day. My soul is lifted up at the thought.  Even though I think I have my day plotted, God is the author of the day and will direct me through the maze to His goal for me today...I'm thinking it won't be just music.

It's Just Good Sense

Photo attribution here

Invest in truth and wisdom,

discipline and good sense, 

and don't part with them.

Proverbs 23:23

I'm afraid of heights.  Just looking at this photo gives me the willies.  I feel I'm using "good sense" when I avoid dangerous situations.  There's no way I'd even be able to climb the ladder to that height, much less walk across a cable.  Uh-uh.

Some people are oblivious to the danger, however.  They get a sense of power at the challenge and it doesn't seem to bother them at all.  Speaking spiritually, they taunt God and continue to challenge Him into responding to their lack of  discipline and good sense.  They've missed the truth and have invested in their own wisdom.  They need to put their desires aside and start following a more careful path--the one that leads to God's will.

Following God's will, though, is an on-going journey for the Christian and can be perilous as well.  However, doing so will give them a sense of peace regardless of the situation--I can't explain it.  I just know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

What's Inside?

Photo attribution here

The human spirit (a person's words) 
is the lamp of the Lord
 that sheds light on 
one’s inmost being.
Proverbs 20:27


The words in parenthesis were in a footnote and I think it interesting that "a person's words" denotes "the human spirit."  
I understand it this way:
A person's words cause the lamp of the Lord to shine on his inmost being.

  Another scripture states something similar.

But the things that 
come out of a person’s mouth 
come from the heart,
 and these defile them.  
Matthew 15:18

Sometimes my mouth gets in the way of common sense and judgment.  I have a lot of work to do on my heart condition.

Mine Forever

photo attribution here
beautiful when viewed on black...click on the photo above to see

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
 and my portion forever. 
Psalm 73:25-26

I must say that I agree with the psalmist to a degree but my heart still desires the things of the world.  I wish I could say, with abandon, that it didn't.  But...this coffee tastes really good.  Visiting with nine of my grandchildren and seeing two of my children and their spouses yesterday was very satisfying.  Anticipating having lunch today with two of my children, one of their spouses and four of my grandchildren today is a pleasant thought.  The thought of one of them coming next fall to the same university for which I work is overwhelmingly exciting.  I do realize, however, that I am getting older and my body doesn't respond as it once did.  My stamina is limited; my vision gives me trouble; my foot goes to sleep when I sit in one place too long;  I have to work twice as hard to learn music that took a couple of "go throughs" only a few years back.  One thing on which I wholeheartedly agree...

"though my flesh and my heart may fail...

God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Taking a Ride with the Season

From personal files

He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.
 He gives wisdom to the wise 
and knowledge to the discerning.
Daniel 2:21


The season is changing--the weeks are like a roller coaster ride.  A few days ago when I took this photo, it was 53 degrees.  Yesterday is was 35--uh-huh...a roller coaster.
My dear husband bought this daffodil for me for Valentine's Day and within a week it grew 8 inches and in another week it had a bud and in three days it had bloomed--beautiful!  I haven't even put my little snowman away.  He's peeking around the stems.  Though it is winter again...
Take heart.
When things seem the gloomiest just hold on...they'll change.  He's the one in charge and He loves you.