Wednesday, April 17, 2024
In the Details
Saturday, March 9, 2024
The Goodness of God
Psalm 27: 13-14
I remain confident of this:
I will
see the goodness of the Lord
in the
land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be
strong and take heart
and wait
for the Lord.
In spring, the goodness of God appears in nature.
The woods awaken the trillium and Lenten rose. The oaks and maples poke their
buds out of the branches, along with red buds and dogwood.
With all the turmoil in our world, I seek the good.
The beauty sooths my soul. When I see the good in people, I rejoice. The child
who helps his friend, the young person who assists the elderly, and the
believer who shares the truth of Jesus all fill me with hope.
Psalm 27 says to be strong, take heart, and wait
for the Lord.
Waiting is hard, but the psalmist tells us the secret. Be
strong—resist the temptation to give up. Take heart—hope. Hope gives me the strength
to keep going, to fill up on God's word and to pray.
The psalmist is confident he will see goodness in life, and
so am I. As long as I keep my eyes on Jesus, and my heart filled with Him, I
can move through life with confidence, and experience the good.
When Rosie was a puppy, she wanted to play with Olive, But
Olive was old and grumpy. She ignored Rosie most of the time. One day, Rosie
had a bone she was gnawing on and Olive laid down beside her. After a few
minutes, Rosie pushed the bone to Olive. I saw goodness through my dogs that
day.
Look for the good and be the good.
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The Crocus's Song
Saturday, March 2, 2024
An Elfin Daffodil
Hebrews 6:19-20
We have
this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner
sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our
behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of
Melchizedek.
wild wind rips the sky—
elfin daffodil bulbs
anchor underground
Before bed, an alert for a serious weather event broadcast on
our screens, both television and phone. A late February storm threatened the
area. The meteorologists called for a tornado watch in our area from 10pm to
6am and thunderstorms.
I slept through whatever storm blew in and after I awoke and
dressed, I checked outside for damage. The birdhouse in the flowerbed had
fallen over. When I righted it, I spied yellow flowers in the corner of the
flowerbed. Miniature daffodils waved their tiny heads at me as if to say we’re
here—we
weathered the storm.
How often in life do I forget I have an anchor for every
storm? Whether weather related or personal, the storms blow in and Jesus
anchors my soul. The Holy Spirit entwines my roots with the Father’s. Like the
elfin daffodils, I’ve survived life’s storms because my roots are buried in the
One who gives life.
Psalm 62:8 reminds me God is my refuge. He’s there for me
all the time. What a comfort to know God loves me so much. He loves you so
much, too.
Seek the One who anchors your soul in Him.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Life Strategy
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
New Life Awaits
Saturday, April 23, 2022
A Season of Singing
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
Raindrops glistened on tulips.
There is something about a flower garden just after the rain
that brings joy to my soul. Whether the fresh smell of earth, or the
magnification of the colors against the muted sky, the beauty of God's creation
fills me with gratitude. I love the way the tulip blossoms cup above the stem.
Each petal appears satiny soft. Beyond the simplicity of the outside, God
created an incredible system inside the plant that assists in growth so the
flowers return year after year.
Some of my friends are still experiencing snow where they
live, and I'm sure they look forward to the rains and flowers. Even in
southwest Ohio in mid-April, cold air lingers and weather folks speak of the threat
of snowflakes. Yet, as the weather changes the flowers remain. They huddle to
fight off the cold and stand against the storm until the time of singing
returns. Much like believers. We need to stand together and show the world the love
of our Lord and King.
I rejoice and glorify Him as color returns and fragrance bursts
from flowers. In my tiny garden the daffodils nod their heads and the tulips
stand tall. When I see the beauty of the spring flowers, I'm reminded of what
is to come. Solomon calls the time after winter a season of singing. Birds chirp
and tweet; just today I heard a robin's song.
As lovely as the spring blooms are, imagine the glorious
beauty that awaits us in heaven. There will surely be a season of singing when
the heavens open and time on this old earth is finished.
Take time to enjoy spring and sing praises to the King!
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Celebrate Hope!
but Jesus offers the greatest hope of all.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
He Has my Heart
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Take Heart!
John 16:32-33
A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be
scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I
am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that
in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But
take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I'm never alone.
Tim and I took Rosie for a walk at the local park. We hiked
into an area where we could hear the river water rushing alongside us. As I
walked, I spied the three-leafed trillium that sprouts in the spring in Ohio
and enjoyed the greening foliage on the trees. For a moment I closed my eyes
and listened. No cars revved their engines, no washer or dryer rumbled, no
furnace kicked off and on. All I heard was the water, the burble of the river
flowing over rocks, the tranquility of the woods. The peace reminded me of the One
who is always with me.
The last three months have been hard. At times the burden
too much to bear, but the beautiful, most wonderful thing I experienced in my
time of grief and stress was the presence of the Holy Spirit. I'm never alone.
Yes, my family and I were surrounded by the amazing blessing of friends. For
that I'm so thankful, but in those times when I sat by myself in my home while Tim worked,
I felt the presence of God. Through scripture and the Spirit, He reminded
it would be alright.
Jesus spoke to his disciples before his final days on earth
and reminded them that even as they needed to scatter and leave Him on His own,
God was with Him. I absolutely love what He tells them. "I have told you
these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
As a believer, the Holy Spirit lives inside me, beside me, and
gives me peace in this troubled world.
Take heart! Jesus has overcome the world.
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Expected or Unexpected: Am I Ready
1 Peter 3:15-16
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear
conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior
in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
April 21, 2021 surprised us with about two inches of snow. When
Tim told me to look out the window and see the surprise, I had mixed feelings.
I love snow, but I adore the beauty of spring. Now the plants that thrived with
green wore white coats, and crystal crowns. I hadn’t covered my plants, yet my
lovely lavender tulip survived the unexpected chill, as did the columbine. Many
of the flowers who peaked from the ground could endure the weather, because
their roots dug deep and their stems had soaked in sun. God created spring
flowers with durability, for all kinds of weather.
The unexpected snow made me wonder how prepared I am. 1
Peter says to be ready to give an answer for my faith, and Matthew 24:42-44 says
to prepare my heart for Jesus second coming.
When I’m traveling, I fill up my fuel tank and pack a bag of
snacks. Both prepare me for the trip. But how do I ready myself for the time
someone asks me about Jesus and my faith? I fill my heart and mind with the
wisdom of Jesus and the scripture. I eat the words of the Bible in order to
fill my spiritual tank and increase my understanding of God and grace.
Even as I prepare for the unexpected, what about the
expected. I know Jesus will return to this earth to take his children home,
even though I don’t know the day or hour. Even in not knowing the time, I know
he’s coming. I want to have my heart ready. The hope I have in God and the
promise of eternal life bolster me as his words feed me.
I may not know when Jesus will return. I may not be on this
earth any longer, regardless, my heart and soul need to be ready for that
glorious day.
Be ready for the unexpected and the expected. Jesus is
coming again.
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Anxiety is a Beast
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and
are thankful for everything you’ve got.”
As one who lives with anxiety, I cling to Philippians 4:6.
When I look back over my life, anxiety raised its hand way too
often. In school, I was the kid who wanted to hide when we read aloud in class.
I’d just as soon fade into the brick wall as wait to be called on for the
kickball team. I wasn’t just shy (although I was shy) I was terrified of
attention.
That was my anxiety. The beast has a unique way of manifesting
itself in all of us. Most of us feel anxious in certain situations due to
stress. Some anxiety is normal.
As an adult, my anxiety reared its head as panic attacks. In my
forties, I returned to college to finish my Bachelor’s degree, but I absorbed
more information, at one time, than my brain could handle. To get technical—the
serotonin didn’t hang out long enough for the process. The doctor figured out
the problem and recommended medication. To me the meds are no different than if
I was diabetic and had to take insulin. I need them.
But along with the medication, I have another healer in my pocket.
Prayer. When I seek God’s attention and pour out all that I’m thankful for—the
anxiety dissipates. Yes, I cry and laugh. Laughter is wonderful, tears
sometimes help, but the best antidote for anxiety is gratitude. I can sit and
talk to my heavenly Father about all the wonders of spring. As I observe my
flowers, I say thank you. When I think of my loved ones, I pray thanks. When I
consider Jesus’ sacrifice for me, I bow in appreciation.
God created the science behind the meds which help my anxiety, and
he’s given me joy and peace in place of fear.
Replace anxiety with gratitude.
Click to tweet: Anxiety is a Beast
Saturday, April 10, 2021
Praise and Pray
Psalm 145:3-5
Great is
the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Perhaps winter is a time of meditation, spring a time of praise.
I find the change
of seasons remarkable. Snow, rain, sunshine, chill all contribute to the nature
God has created. For the past few weeks I’ve enjoyed the daffodils, tulips and hyacinth
in my tiny garden. One morning, I observed the yellow and white daffodils
bowing their heads. In the same plot of soil, the tulips raised their leaves to
the sky. It struck me—both stood in a posture of praise and
prayer.
In the
winter, I tend to bow down and meditate on God’s word. The quiet, sometimes
snow-kissed earth allows me to snuggle into my favorite chair and focus on Jesus.
But in the spring, I want to shout with the sunshine that Jesus is Lord. Maybe
because we celebrate Easter, I raise my hands to God and praise out loud. For
whatever reason, spring is a time to celebrate our Lord and Savior.
In observing
the flowers, no matter whether I raise my hands like the tulip or bow my head
like the daffodil, I am in a posture of praise and prayer. It doesn’t matter
how I praise and pray as much as when. And when is every day. I thank God for
the beauty of the earth and the people in my life. I don’t need much, yet God
has provided abundantly.
As the
psalmist says, God is so great and worthy of praise, I can’t even fathom his
greatness.
Praise and
pray thanksgiving to God the Father, when you bow down and when you rise up.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
John 3:16
Saturday, March 13, 2021
If You Feel Hopeless
Luke 8:12-15
Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes
away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those
on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear
it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing
they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear,
but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and
pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for
those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by
persevering produce a crop.
My garden breathed the breath of new life.
Ohio’s temperatures teased us with hints of spring. At our condo, the lawn care folks hauled wheel barrows loaded with mulch. They mulched around the trees and the perimeters of the buildings.
In my little area around
our porch, I’ve planted flowers and decorated with garden ornaments. Before the
guys mulched our corner, I removed decorative rocks and pulled out dead leaves.
I cleaned out the mess the finches made, dropping their leftovers on my flower
bed, and dug out a few weeds.
After the landscapers added the mulch, I rearranged the
shredded wood chips around the blooming crocus, hyacinth sprouts, and unfurling
tulip leaves. As spring approaches, I’ll witness new life as it pushes through
the soil and blooms as beautiful flowers.
My garden appeared refreshed, clean, and ready for growth.
I’ve been a Christian for many, many years. At times, I’ve
carried rocks in my heart. Stones of guilt and anger weighed me down. Sin
disguised as colorful ornaments tempted me. Self-deprecation filled my mind
with debris. Yet even in all the darkness of sin and shame, the beauty of being
a Christ follower shined through. Jesus reached out and accepted all the rocks,
stones, and dirt. He took all of the burdens from me and renewed my life. He’s encouraged
me to grow and bloom; to be the best person I can be.
Granted, I still struggle, and I still sin. I’m not perfect.
But I know Jesus continues to hear my cries for mercy, and for that I am
thankful.
If you feel hopeless, turn to Jesus. In him there is hope,
joy, peace, and rest. He wants to take your burdens and replace them with grace.
Jesus died to give life to whomever chooses to follow him.
Seek the one who renews life. Jesus loves you.
Click to Tweet If You Feel Helpless
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
He Made Them
Saturday, March 28, 2020
A Season for Everything
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.