Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

He is the Reason

I love the evergreens in the winter.
They stand tall and remind me of Jesus.

They are evergreen, and He is everlasting.
In this season of celebration,
embrace the truth of Jesus' birth.

He came to set us free from the chains of sin and death
and to renew our spirits.

He truly is the reason for the season.


 

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Celebrate Christmas~Angels

Luke 1:28-33
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

An angel carried hope to a broken world. 

Years ago, I sewed an angel costume for my daughter to wear in the church's Christmas play. She was adorable. That same simple, white dress, and angel wings have been passed down through the family. What a delight to see the little ones dressed in glittery garland halos, and singing from their little hearts.

How do you picture an angel?
In my mind's eye I see cherub cheeks, ringlets in their hair, and bright eyes. Their tiny barefoot feet poke out under crisp white gowns. Each one stands erect and they sing the most beautiful melody. But the angels in the Bible weren't cute little cherubs, they were pictured as fierce warriors, men dressed in white, some bigger than life.

God created angels to minister to his people. In the Bible, angels prepared for spiritual combat, while others delivered divine messages. Either way, they are prepared to battle for and care for Jesus' followers.

Before Jesus was born, they led the brigades to prepare the way for the King of Kings. In the Christmas story these men God sent to earth, visited Joseph, Mary, Zechariah, and the shepherds. They showed up to spread the good news of hope, joy, and love.

You see, God sent the angels with purpose. Our world is broken. God's people need heavenly beings to fight for us, assist us, and speak to us. God asked his angels to spread God's words. I've not seen an angel (that I know of) but I believe they dwell among us. They minister to God's people even as they did in biblical times.

Read the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke and focus on the angels, find the joy they shared as hope for our weary world.

 

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Fresh Snow

 Everything looks magical when it snows.

-Lorelai Gilmore


As I drove home in the evening, the trees glistened with white,

and the ground rested under a blanket of fresh snow. 


In southwest Ohio, we had our first snowfall.

I still feel like a kid when I see those flakes floating to the earth.

Something about the snow reminds me to stop and

take the time to enjoy the beauty and be thankful.




Saturday, November 23, 2024

A Thankful Heart

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.


I have fond memories of my dad praying grace over our meals, when I was growing up. Tim's prayers at our dinners bless my heart. My girls learned to pray their prayers at bedtime with honesty and sweetness. Oh, how I enjoy our grandkids' voices speaking to their heavenly father. Over the years, I've been asked to pray out loud, and I'll be honest, I get nervous. I'm not comfortable leading others in prayer. As a matter of fact, I used to struggle with how I should communicate with the Lord, at all. But I've learned, I don't need to be nervous or shy about prayers. I simply need to go before God with whatever is on my mind. Sometimes I write my prayers in a notebook. Other times, I talk to him whenever a need comes to mind. The truth I know is—God wants to hear from me.

Paul tells the Colossian church to pray with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Even though my words may be simple, I don't want to be distracted when I call up words to Jesus. Instead, I need to be attentive. And I should always go before the Lord with thanksgiving. With Thanksgiving Day around the corner, it's easy to think of what I'm thankful for. But what about next week? Or during the hustle and bustle of Christmas, if I become irritated and tired. What about next year, after the new diet doesn't work out and the scales are stuck? Yep, even then I need to go before God with a thankful heart. What if all is well? Do I stop talking to God? No. I need to shout words of thanks and praise! I am grateful that God has set up a way for us to communicate. I love talking to him and listening for answers.

This week as Thanksgiving approaches, give thanks. Sometimes that's enough.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

A Warrior of Light

A storm blew the birch tree across the walking path.

The park's team cut the trunk into manageable pieces 
and left it to rest for the creatures of the woods.

When I spied the chopped wood, I admired the beauty of the trunk 
and the rounds inside.
The mottled bark reminded me of a soldier's uniform, 
and the inside centera heart.

As a Jesus follower, He wants me to be a warrior with a heart for people.
He wants me to fight the battle of darkness with His light in my heart.

Keep His light shining mighty warrior.


 

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Them Bones

Ezekiel 37: 1-6
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

And he did.

On one of our walks at the park, I glanced up. Branches of the white birch bark on the bare trees shone against the brilliant blue sky. The white birch branches reminded me of the story in Ezekiel where God sent him to the valley of the bones and asked him to prophesy to the bones. Ezekiel may have wondered why, but he obeyed. God knew in His sovereignty that the bones would rise again in new life. Ezekiel witnessed a miracle.

On days when it’s hard to put one foot in front of the other, I hang on to God’s promises of hope. Some days my fibromyalgia flairs and my body doesn’t want to move. On those days, I feel like the dry bones in the valley. Other days, the fibro stays calm, and you’d never know I had any health issues. Those days I thank God for the breath of life.

When my eyes caught sight of the beautiful bare branches and the blue sky, God reminded me to rest when I need to and engage in life when I can. You see, I still have work to do on this earth. So did Ezekiel. He had a story to tell and bones to raise. On the days I feel like I’m in the valley with the bones, I’m reminded of the breath God breathed into the bones and the breath He breaths into me.

Thank God for all days and know He is with you.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Contemplate

Contemplation.

I wonder what these two ducks are thinking.
How safe is the water to swim in?
The bugs they'll catch and eat.
Where are their friends and family?

Many of us live busy lives, moving from one thing to the next without much thought.
God reminds me to ponder the possibilities before I leap ahead.

I'm not always good at it, but I know in my heart-- 
God wants me to consider everything through His lens.


 

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Stand Strong and Courageous

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

I salute the men and women who serve in the military.

My dad served in World War 2. He never talked about his time overseas, much. I know he was stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea for a time. After he had passed away, my sister discovered a letter written to our mom where the commanding officer stated dad had received a Soldier’s Medal for saving the life of a fellow soldier. I’m proud of my dad for having the courage to rescue the man.

I thank the Lord for men and women who choose to stand strong and courageous for our country. So many have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to keep American soil safe. I thank the Lord for the families who stand beside the military folks. The children who miss their parent or both parents, the spouses who hold the home together, the parents of the enlisted all need our prayers.

Moses handed the leadership to Joshua to lead the people into the promised land. They had to be prepared to take the land and win the battle. God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous.

I may not be in the military, but I am in a battle zone. The war between good and evil surrounds me every day. God calls me to be strong—His strength fills me—He calls me to be courageous—To not be discouraged. The best news is—God goes with me wherever I go!

This Veteran’s Day, pray for our military, thank our service people, pray for peace, ask God for strength and courage and fight the spiritual battles with faith and hope. 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

A Matter of Perspective

I walked across the living room and caught a glimpse of my lighthouse chimes.
The sun shone through the window and cast a shadow of the wooden piece.
The long skinny lighthouse's shape 
changed into a shorter and wider version of itself.

The perspective changed. 
Had I just seen the shadow, 
I would have assumed the object 
to be very different from the original. 

Isn't that how it is with people sometimes?
We only see a fragment of them
or we assume we see the heart of the person, when we don't.

God sees the real us. He sees beyond the shadows, into our heart.


 

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Need Rest?

Matthew 11:28-30
“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.”

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." -Anne Shirley

This week the leaves on the deciduous trees burst with color. Autumn shone her glorious scarlets, golds, and ambers. God’s paintbrush kissed the sky with azure blue. What a lovely time.

As I look at the trees and think about their preparation for winter, I know they will rest. Each oak and maple will shed their leaves, and their systems will slow as they slumber through the cold months. Sometimes, I envy the trees. They have a cycle that guarantees time for respite and refreshment.

In the busy world we live in, rest seems like a bad word. Stopping to admire the trees and renew the spirit is often overlooked. Maybe because I’m older now, I value slowing down and sitting with Jesus more than ever.

In Matthew 11, Jesus is speaking to a group of people in Galilee, and I’m guessing He’s also addressing his disciples. The folks He preached to experienced weariness. They were in the midst of the friction between those who believed Jesus was Messiah and those who ridiculed Him. Jesus invited them to come to Him. When he mentions his humble and gentle heart, it feels like a warm hug for my weary soul. Jesus’ yoke is easy, and His burden is light because Jesus shares our needs with God, who hears our prayers.

What a beautiful cycle the trees experience and what an amazing cycle we have when Jesus takes our burdens and carries them to Father God. Our load is eased, and we can rest.

Take your cares to Jesus, find rest in Him, and value the time to slow down.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

A Beautiful Moment

About two weeks ago, I plucked the last of the zinnias 
and cosmos and pulled the stems and roots out of the ground. 

I'll miss their bright colors until next summer, 
but their beauty never quite leaves me,
thanks to photos which captured the moment.

I hope you are capturing beautiful moments this week.


 

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Place in This World

Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Teach children they have a purpose.

My friend, Bev, and I pulled into the parking lot at Truist Arena on the Northern Kentucky University campus. We looked forward to watching For King and Country perform their songs. As we filed in, and found our seats, I looked around at all the people. Folks united, not just to hear the music, but to worship God.

We were not disappointed. Joel and Luke Smallbone and their band poured all of their energy into leading us in a time of rejoicing. In between the songs, they told their story. Their family had traveled from Australia to America, but when they arrived in Nashville, their father’s job fell through. The children were young. They’d moved to a new country from a beautiful home, and now they had nothing to speak of. No furniture, no car, no job. The beautiful thing about their story is that their parents gathered those youngsters together and asked them to pray. They gave them specific items to pray for, and the kids witnessed answered prayers. They involved them in the work they needed to do to make ends meet. They gave them responsibility.

The Smallbone children grew into adults with purpose. Doors opened for them as they trusted God with their lives. No, we won’t all be in the limelight, but whatever we do for God is important. Know you have purpose in whatever you do. Seek God’s guidance and let the Holy Spirit lead.

Share God with children. Teach them God gives purpose to every person, teach them to pray and trust the Father, then lead by example.


Wednesday, October 23, 2024

The Joy of Discovery

We followed our nature guide along a trail to the creek.

As I walked behind the fourth graders, I thought about 
how thankful I was that I could still volunteer for field trips.

The joy of discovery on the girls' faces, as they found fossils in the rocks
and interesting plants and fungi, filled my heart with gratitude.

God's creation is incredible. Look up, down, 
and around next time you're outside and experience the joy of discovery.

We're never too old to be blessed by wonder.



 

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Book Review: The Blooming of Delphinium

I haven't posted a book review for awhile. I just finished this story and wanted to share.

The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni

I’m not sure where to start with this story. I chose to read and review it because I had read Varni’s first book, On Moonberry Lake and enjoyed it, plus I loved this gorgeous cover. I love books with quirky characters and small communities and these books gave me plenty of those. When I first started reading The Blooming of Delphinium I wasn’t sure I was going to like the book, some strange things occurred and well, I just didn’t know what to think, but then the magic happened and I fell in love with the characters and the beautiful message threaded through the story. You will love Henry and his comrades as much as Delphi does. You’ll root for Elliot, who reminded me of Oliver in the Signed, Sealed, Delivered movie series. Varni brings to light the much-needed subject of loving on the elderly and respecting their need to matter. Along with that she pens a lovely romance. When I finished this wonderful book, I sat back and considered all it encompassed. It’s a great story and you should read it. I received a free copy and opinions are my own.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

The Heavens Declare

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God;
      the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

The sun’s solar flares project toward the earth, while the earth’s magnetic field protects and sends the flares into the sky.

The northern lights usually dance in the sky at the poles of the earth, but this year, 2024, the flares trended toward epic and have shown off well into the states.

I’ve dreamed of seeing the Aurora Borealis all my life. Now at sixty-seven years old, my dream came true. Tim and I tried to see them in May when they visited Ohio, but they weren’t visible where we were. I also didn’t know I needed to search for them with my phone’s camera. Then, I heard they were back on October 10. Sure enough, in our backyard, the ribbons of color danced across the sky. Just when I thought they had ended, a strip of red appeared over the condo building next to ours and the show continued.

My daughter, Maggie, commented that my grandkids had experienced two solar eclipses and the northern lights. Our youngest grandchild is ten and here I am in my sixties just experiencing these phenomena.

As I stood in wonder of the Aurora Borealis as it shifted and changed, my mind went to the marvel of what heaven would be like. Since God has created such beauty on earth, imagine what our eternal home will be like.

We tend to look at the sky for its beauty. Clouds billow, lightning flashes, stars twinkle, rainbows shine, and the moon waxes and wanes. The heavens do declare the glory of God as He works with His hands to create magnificent sights.

In the storms, troubling times, and everyday life look to the sky and remember who created you and what He has in store in heaven. What a glorious day it will be to step onto the streets of gold.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Aurora Borealis

I missed the Aurora Borealis in May when it visited Ohio. 
On October 10, 2024, I stepped outside 
with the hope of seeing the colors dance in the sky.

As I searched the heavens, my granddaughter, 
Dylan, sent photos of what she saw, so I knew I had a chance.

Sure enough, as I gazed the sky with my phone's camera,
the beautiful colors appeared.

Dylan sent more pics and other posts started showing up on
Facebook of the beauty God painted across the skies.

I love how God's creation brings people together
as it glorifies Him.



 

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Little Lamb

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 18:12-14
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

I'd find the widest maple tree in the yard and squeeze myself as small as I
could, behind it. The child who was 'it' would call out "Ready or not, here I come" to let us know they were searching for our hiding place. As a kid my neighbors, cousins, and I spent endless hours playing hide-and-go-seek. We especially loved playing from dusk to dark. But in the game of hide-and-go-seek, we didn't want to be caught, or we'd be the 'it' person.

As an adult, I rarely play that old childhood game, unless one of my grandkids talks me into it. Even though I haven’t hidden behind a tree lately, I'm sorry to say there have been times I've played hide-and-go-seek with God. I've buried my head and ignored His wisdom, His call, or His word. Yet, He came after me and sought me out. Why? Because He loves me no matter what. God, who created the universe, called me by name and told me I am His child.

Jesus is often called the Good Shepherd. As a shepherd, He searches for that single sheep that strays away from the flock. He chases that one little lamb who lost his way. He seeks in the shadows, climbs the mountains, tears down the walls to find that one who is lost. Once He finds them, He holds them, loves them and gives hope beyond hope. Jesus said He's happier about finding that one lost sheep than about the ninety-nine who stayed put. Why? Because Jesus wants every child of His to be found, to be saved from the evil in this world. He wants every soul to rest in Him.

In this time of uncertainty and sorrow, seek Jesus' arms. He loves like no other.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Glorious Color

My neighbor grows this beautiful plant in their garden. 
I believe they are sea oats, not common in Ohio. 
The color on the heads reminds me autumn has 
finally tumbled into Ohio, along with cooler weather
and glorious colors from God's paintbrush.

Continue to pray for the folks in North Carolina,
especially the people working to bring sense from the chaos.
These times make me appreciate the ones who
repair and restore electricity and water and those
who are cleaning up.

Blessings!



 

Saturday, October 5, 2024

You've Got a Friend in Me

John 11:4-7
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

A friend’s a friend forever... 

Reunion class of 1979

Krista, Debbie, and I drove in the wind and rain to Grayson, Kentucky, to join friends we’d known for forty-plus years. The alumni reunion was taking place over the weekend, and we looked forward to spending time with our forever friends.

Our crew of teenage girls met in 1975, while some of us knew each other before we arrived on the campus of Kentucky Christian College. That year in the girls' dorm, God bound us together. Over the course of time, we went our separate ways. I kept in touch with a couple of the girls through letters and brief visits, but it wasn’t the same, until several of us gathered at Helen’s house (she and Terry stayed in Grayson) several years ago. Through Facebook, we’d found each other again, and when we gathered, it was like we’d never been apart.

Like this year, we sang songs, shared prayer needs, hugged, and loved on each other. My soul needed the restoration of these dear friends.

In John 11, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus needed Jesus. Lazarus was sick to the point he died, but Jesus, in His wisdom and knowledge, knew Lazarus would live. Without the dear friendship with Jesus, Lazarus would have stayed in the tomb. When Jesus arrived, Mary questioned why he took so long. This is the time Jesus wept. The bond between Jesus, Mary, and Martha brought the sister’s comfort, and the love Jesus had for Lazarus raised him from the dead.

Our friendships on earth won’t bring people back to life, but they can restore a hurting heart or a weary soul. Fellowship with my friends, who believe Jesus is Christ and God is our Father, fills my soul with joy. I pray you have friends like mine, but more than anything, I pray you are friends with Jesus.

Seek Jesus and fellowship with believers. Jesus listens and loves.

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Please, Pray

I don't have anything clever to say today. 
My heart is hurting for all the communities devastated 
by Hurricane Helene. 
With family living in Ashville, NC and Greenville, SC, this hit hard. 

The devastation is horrific--loss of lives, resources, 
belongings, businesses, and more.

From where I am in Ohio, I can't do much to help physically, 
but I can pray and there are places to donate financially. 

The photo of the cross at Pretty Place in Camp Greenville 
(who suffered a lot of damage) reminds me 
to pray for family, friends, and everyone caught in the devastation. 
Please pray with me.