I Promise

 God made great and marvelous promises, 

so that his nature would become part of us.

 Then we could escape our evil desires and

 the corrupt influences of this world.

2 Peter 1:4 

 Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version

 © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Every day is the fulfillment of God's promise to us.  How we use it is our fulfillment of our promise to God.  Enjoy your day.

Photo Credit: dorena-wm on Flickr

Oh, For The Beauty

 Be completely humble 

and gentle; 

be patient, 

bearing with one another

 in love.

Ephesians 4:2

At first glance one sees beauty but underneath...

watch out!

There are thorns.

When I least expect it, the thorns appear.  My heart's desire is to be like the rose but my sinful nature still brings pain to others.  Oh, for the beauty...

Photo Credit: Joao Alves on Flickr

The Giver

 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said,

 “Anyone who wants to be first 

must be the very last,

 and the servant of all.”

Mark 9:35

I found this picture of some of my grandchildren while tromping through my picture files the other day.  This family has added another since that shot and that was about 6 years ago.  It always warms my heart when my grandchildren (and others) give up their "place in line" to another.  The biggest sacrifice is offering the last piece of meat, lasagne or dessert...but they do, on occasion.  They've been taught by their parents to share and that servanthood is expected of the Christian.  They've also experienced that they, too, receive a blessing by doing so.  It feels good to give.  Thank you, Lord, for being the ultimate Giver and teaching us to do the same.

Picture from my personal files

Why Don't I Get What I Want?

You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive,because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 4:22-3

There are a lot of pouty people out there...ones who are never happy with what they have.  Do they ever think about why they don't have what they want?

(I couldn't resist this cutie pouty red-head picture...not that I know anyone like this, you understand.)

Photo Credit: Angie Garrett

The Hopeful Ones

Be strong and take heart, 

all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

I frequent this Photo-artist often and today she had posted this picture.  When we went to Alabama last week I saw a robin and didn't think anything about it but this photographer lives in Michigan.  More winter storms are the forecast there and he doesn't seem too pleased about it.

I wonder if the wild animals have an innate sense of God.  If so, this little one must be  putting out a heap of hope.

Photo Credit: Rachel Kramer on Flickr

Instant Access

Photo Credit: Alex Wiebe on Flickr

Photo Credit: Leonardo on Flickr

...keep my words;...

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 7:1,3

The word "tablet" has changed a bit, don't you think?  

  The writers of olden times painstakingly "hammered away" at transcribing the Words of God when all we have to do today is "cut and paste." The meaning is the same, though, and these words from Proverbs stand true today.

 It is so important to have God's Word ready and easily available. But when you don't have the written Word in front of you, if it is written on your heart, you have instant access.  

Sitting Between His Shoulders

This is not too disturbing until you see this....

Yep, that's a tall tree for such a small boy.

I was reading a blog from a friend today and she used this scripture:

Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,

 for he shields him all day long,

 and the one the Lord loves

 rests between his shoulders.

Deuteronomy 33:12

This makes so much more sense if you knew this boy...Mr. Runner-Gunner.  He is just like his Dad, our son.  From the time he could crawl, he has been into everything...and at a breakneck speed.  Nothing seems to daunt him.  He certainly has been protected for 12 years now.

Thank you, Lord, for carrying him (and all my children and grandchildren) for all these years.

Photo from personal files.

Without Grumbling...For A Reason

Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. 

Philippians 2:14-16

Yes, I seem to be given these verses on a regular basis.  I wonder why?

There are numerous reasons and here's one of them.

"But, Lord, everything?"

"Yes, Child, there is a reason for everything I ask you to do."

"OK, Lord, I'll do my best."

Photo Credit: Markus Grossalber on Flickr

Spirit Companion

 So I say, 

walk by the Spirit, 

and you will not gratify 

the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16

If you walk alone or with a companion...the exercise is good for you.  It burns fat, builds muscle and oxygenates your brain.  I'm pretty much a loner but I love to walk beside my husband.  We talk, point out the flora and fauna and watch for deer.  We have a sweet communion.  During the day, when he leaves, I still need a companion to help me decide certain things that trouble me and many times, I depend on my own devices.  The Spirit is there to help, I just don't ask for His companionship.  I need to be aware of His nearness and commune with Him...the Spirit Companion.

Photo from the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com

Having Light

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,

 “I am the light of the world

 Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

 but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

I love when the seasons march on in order and the light pushes the limits of the day.  The sun looks so good after days of darkness and I want to bask in its rays.  I stand at my front door and invite the sun into my home.  I love the light

and

 I love the Light.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us the hope of your Light for every day...whether gloomy or glorious.

Photo from personal files

Resolving To Know Nothing

 ...When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  I came to you in weakness...

1 Corinthians 2:2,3

The humility of Paul: he resolved to be meek.

Can I be a blank page and allow others to voice, vent and vocalize and not interrupt, give advise or negate their conversation?  It has to be a resolution on my part to do that.  Maybe when I'm with someone who needs to talk (and we all do), I can think of Jesus and his meekness.  It's a thought I need to put into action.

Photo from personal files

Just Take the Plunge

The tree grew large and strong 

and its top touched the sky;

 Its leaves were beautiful, 

its fruit abundant,

and on it was food for all. 

Under it the wild animals found shelter,

 and the birds lived in its branches;

 from it every creature was fed.

Daniel 4:11-12

It's been raining for over 12 hours but that has not stopped this little squirrel from splashing in all the puddles around our yard for acorns.  He was out early in the morning and here in the early afternoon, he's still at it.  I guess he likes acorn soup.  This tree really provided a good crop. Thus, once again,  God has provided for His creatures.

Photo from personal files.

Bread: Basic Food

I am the bread of life.

 Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, 

and whoever believes in me 

will never be thirsty.

John 6:35

I began this post early this morning...before coffee...and got distracted because I realized that I needed to bake my bread.  I make three loaves from a sour dough starter almost every week.  No, we can't eat three loaves by ourselves but there is always someone who needs a pick-me-up, a little something special.  Today one of the loaves is going to the home of friends who are hosting dinner for us and a few others.  One is going in the freezer awaiting a trip to visit my son and his family and one will stay with us.  See how quickly it goes?

The early Christians depended on bread as a staple food as well so when Jesus used it as an example in his teachings, people understood the importance of the reference.  There are qualifications to receiving His bread, though.  You must "come" to Him.  His Word is true.  I'm filled in multiple ways when I come to Him to be filled.  Thank you, Lord, for being my bread.

Photo from personal files.

Take Up Your Cross

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 

Whoever wants to be my disciple

 must deny themselves and

take up their cross and follow me

Matthew 16:24

It's a daily thing...taking up the cross...and it comes in all shapes and sizes.

How many times this week have I considered the fact that I am God's child and I should act like it?  When did I awaken with the thought, "Today I will sacrifice my money, time and talents for God?  Bring it on, Lord."

When have I knowingly disobeyed God's teachings?

Ummm, too many times.  

I've missed many opportunities for being a Cross-bearer this week.  Have you?

Photo Credit: Arian Zwegers on Flickr

Looking For That Rainbow?

Photo by Moyan Brenn on Flickr

For where your treasure is, 

there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

Some people are looking for the proverbial rainbow and hoping that their luck will change...waiting for good things to come to them but not doing anything about it.  They don't realize that it takes a good long hike to get there and that's called "Work."  Along the hiking trail is where one finds the treasures and at the end of the hike the believer finds the ultimate treasure...God himself. 

Helping

God is always fair. 

 He will remember how you helped his people in the past

 and how you are still helping them.

Hebrew 6:10a (Contemporary English Version)

I've been subbing at the organ for well over a year now, helping the organist out while he struggled with cancer and congestive heart failure.  He is now in hospice care and things are not looking good for him.  It dawned on me that the church may want me to continue here and I'm not sure what God has planned in this regard.  I'd still like to help but the Music Minister is Interim and a new one may have other plans for style of music used (as has happened in the past.)  I guess I'll live week to week and keep on helping.  God knows and I don't.

  Henry Blackaby said in his study, "Experiencing God," that one should continue to do what God has given him until He makes it clear that one should move on.  Keep on keeping on would be the thing to do.

Photo Credit: Calvin Wray on Flickr

Stilling the Storm to a Whisper

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.

Psalm 107:28-30

What do you do in a storm?

Panic?

Hide?

Cry?

or

Call out to God?

It's interesting to note that the scripture says, "He stilled the storm to a whisper."

It seems some people never get out of the storm with it ebbing and flowing around them endlessly.  Some people are just prone to storms.  How do they continue with no let-up?

I guess the "whisper" is better than the thunder.

Photo from personal files.

Some Things We Can't Do Ourselves

Wash and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
    stop doing wrong.

Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.

Isaiah 1:16-17

The Lord was speaking  through Isaiah to the Israelites (we can just put our names here.)  God knew it was impossible for mankind to justify himself.  Man needs God, a Savior, an internal Adjuster.

                                             

Wash and make yourselves clean...  We say: wash me, and I will               be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7)

Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong...We say:  take away all my sins (Psalm 25:18)

Learn to do right...Jesus said: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me (Matthew 11:29)

seek justice... Solomon said:...for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,  doing what is right and just and fair (Proverbs 1:1,3)

defend the oppressed...God said to his two leaders: I will help you speak and will teach you what to do (Exodus 4:15)

take up the case of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow...Moses tried to tell them:  He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow (Deuteronomy 10:18)

We just can't do it ourselves.  We need his help.

Photo credit: Rachel Kramer on Flickr

Walking With God

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

I couldn't resist this shot as "the boys" came in from a cold swinging session.  It's one of the first things 22 month old Micah says when he enters the door.  "Pawpaw, swing?"

We're so blessed to have grandchildren living so close...just a 4 min. drive.  We feel so honored to be able to see them, play with them, help them and with number 4 coming for that family "help" will come in handy SOON.

I also thought it was appropriate, after reading the Bible verse for the day, that the passage was from Micah...since these were Micah's shoes and I shot this two days ago because it was so cute.

We're walking humbly today.

Just Enough

...I know what it is to have plenty.

 I have learned the secret of being content

 in any and every situation...

Philippians 4:12

Yes, I am taking this scripture out of context but this applies to the tiny bit of snow we received yesterday. While the great North got inches, we got tenths of an inch.  It was still beautiful and filled the woods behind our house just enough to be able to see into it. And...

we didn't have to shovel it.

We're thankful.