Wednesday, April 17, 2024
In the Details
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Breathtaking
Revelation 22:1-5
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as
crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the
middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the
tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every
month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No
longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be
in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his
face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more
night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for
the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Behold the beauty.
Have you ever seen something so breathtaking you can’t look
away?
On our walk, through Sycamore Park, the Virginia bluebells
are in full bloom. A day after the solar eclipse, we trekked along the paved
trail where there are signs to stay on the path and not walk in the wooded area.
The park personnel are working to restore the flora and fauna. This particular
day, the sky clouded and light rain fell. In that lighting, the blue of the
bluebells shone in gorgeous contrast to the spring green.
All along the path, I couldn’t stop looking at the beautiful
shade of blue that blanketed many areas in the woods. You just don’t see blue
flowers that often and when they’re in clusters, they are simply stunning.
As in awe as I am of floral beauty, I can’t begin to imagine the splendor of heaven. We catch glimpses of what John saw in his vision in Revelation. A river, a tree filled with fruit, eternal light from God himself, oh the glory. The picture painted in Revelation 22 pours hope into my soul. Nature’s beauty in perfect harmony will surround us in heaven.
I hope as you imagine heaven, you see yourself standing at
the throne and praising God. I want to sit by the river and bask in God’s light
and taste the sweet fruit of His presence.
Take a moment from the chaos of this life, imagine heaven,
and fill up on hope.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
What's in the Woods?
Saturday, April 6, 2024
The Tree's Knees
Psalm 46:1-7
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city
of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
The trees had knees.
In Congaree National Park, my daughter, Maggie, my
grandchildren, Dylan and Zeke, and I hiked along the boardwalk over the swampy
areas. I’d never seen anything quite like the park. The other-worldly feeling
made me wonder when the dinosaurs or gnomes might appear.
Maggie and her family had visited the park before, and she
knew I’d love it. And I did. The vegetation was like nothing I’d seen before.
The trees were huge and fascinating. The Cyprus trees appeared to wear pleated
skirts, and they were surrounded by little stumpy looking knees. Maggie told me
the knees grow up from the roots and help anchor the trees in the muddy soil,
so they offer the tree an extra layer of strength against the wind and storms. The
knees also act like a protection against erosion, which reminds me of how God
anchors me and provides protection and strength.
The verse that mentions the nations in an uproar and the kingdoms
falling brings to mind the headlines today. So much turmoil is in the world,
yet in the Congaree National Park, I felt God’s protection and presence, especially when we encountered a timber rattler.
With God as my refuge, I embraced His presence in the forest,
and I hold tight to it today, at home. He is my strength and He holds me in His
hands.
Wherever you are, if you are a child of God, He sees you and
cares for you.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Children's Book Day!
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Through God's Power
Matthew 28:5-10
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just
as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and
tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into
Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet
filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met
them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and
worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and
tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
I cannot visit the mountains without hiking to a waterfall.
My daughter Maggie and her teenagers let me tag along on a
trip to Greenville, SC to visit my youngest daughter, Hannah. Hannah and
Stephen are blessed to live in the beautiful Appalachian Mountain region of our
country where a trip to the mountains is just a car drive away.
On one of our exploration adventures we hiked in the Dupont
State Forest, southeast of Brevard, NC, to Triple Falls waterfall. I enjoyed
the spring foliage and the new life popping in the forest, but at the end of
the trail, the true gem awaited.
The falls roared over the rock face of the cliff, and I
stood and let the water spray my face. As I reflected on the power of the falls,
I considered how powerful God is and how humble and loving Jesus is. With
Easter Sunday and the celebration of Jesus defeating death, the truth of Jesus’
life struck me. He lived in obedience to his Father. In living, he knew his
death would come and that he’d carry the burden of sin for every person. He
knew, yet he obeyed. Even as Jesus died, God knew the outcome. God’s power defeated
death and he breathed life into his son and sent his angels to roll away the
stone.
Jesus died and rose again from an ugly death. Through God’s
power, he lives and loves and wants every soul to follow him and meet him in
heaven.
I pray you have a blessed Easter and consider Jesus invitation
to be your Savior.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Natural Harmony
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Imagine the Garden
Genesis 1:11-13
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and
trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various
kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed
according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according
to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and
there was morning—the third day.
Spring’s first heartbeat honors winter’s last breath. -Angie Weiland Crosby
Tim and I have been walking Rosie at the local park. As we
hike along the trail, I’ve spotted a variety of flowers blooming. The yellow
celandine blankets the forest floor, Dutchman’s breeches wave their miniature
pantaloon shaped petals, and Virginia bluebell leaves are sprouting. Green has
popped all over and the robins are tweeting a welcome to spring.
When I witness the change from winter to warmer weather and
the brown shifting to shades of green, I’m reminded of the creation story. When
God made the world, He added plants. He knew we’d need not only the produce from
the vegetation, but the beauty of the flowers.
As we walked this morning, I considered the Garden of Eden
and the glorious place it must have been. All the amazing plants in God’s
original creation must have looked and smelled incredible. Imagine the perfection.
I’m thankful He blesses me with the beauty of nature in our
little corner. No, we don’t experience a land without scars or blemishes, but
we do have a hint of the place Adam and Eve left behind. The hint of the
possible beauty of heaven fills my heart with hope. As I spy a hyacinth’s fresh
bloom or the brilliant color of a tulip, I’m reminded of how much God loves me.
He cares for the flowers and loves His people even more.
Enjoy spring and appreciate God’s gift of beauty on earth
and the ultimate glory of heaven.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Beauty
Saturday, March 16, 2024
A Joyful Soul
Song of Solomon 12: 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.
Bright yellow flowers bob their heads among the purple petals.
As much as I love winter, I adore the first blooms of spring. In southern Ohio, the daffodils are popping. Have you noticed seasons have their own array of color? Right now we’re seeing a lot of yellow and purple. Forsythia bushes are waving branches of golden blossoms and vinca vines are displaying their periwinkle buds. Soon, the tulips will open and add reds and pinks to the display.
All of these flowers fill my soul with joy. Their beauty gives
me hope. After the cold, dark season of winter, God graces us with a rainbow of
color and days filled with sunshine.
Have you experienced a dark season? They come and go, don’t
they? When I’ve traveled through a dark tunnel in life, hope shined at the end
of the darkness, because I didn’t journey alone. Jesus walks with me
step-by-step. As a believer in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I’m in their
company every day, no matter the circumstance. The Holy Spirit dwells in my
soul and guides me on the dark days and the bright days. He’s the reason I
never walk alone. We don’t talk much about the Spirit, which is a shame.
God created me to have a physical body and a spiritual soul.
I’m so thankful for both. Although my body is wearing out with time, the Spirit
brings wisdom to my soul. Jesus’ love and grace pour into me and fill me with peace.
As spring arrives and fills the days with beauty, reflect on
the hope, peace, and joy of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.
God bless you!
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Books for Kidz
This month I'm reviewing two books from Zonderkidz.
Kiki Finds Her Voice by Kierra Sheard-Kelly, illustrated by
Paul Kellam
Kierra Sheard-Kelly has written a wonderful book with a valuable story about staying true to God. Based on a true story, she shares a tale many girls will relate to and learn from.
The illustrations are colorful
and add to the beauty of the story. The lesson of "being different is
beautiful" because God made you to be yourself and not follow the crowd
resonated with me, even as an adult. I recommend the book. It's perfect for
ages 8-12.
Strong by Sally Lloyd Jones, illustrated by Jago
Jago’s illustrations drew me to this book. They are simply
beautiful. Children will love the colorful pictures.
The book is based on Psalm 1:1-3.
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Lloyd-Jones presents the scripture in a way little ones will relate to being close to God. The example of a tree gives them a concrete picture of God’s strength. Strong is a board book.
Both books are available on Amazon or from Zonderkidz.
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, February 28, 2024
Read Across America
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Saturated With His Love
Ephesians
3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with
power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the
Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is
the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that
you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I taste the
love Jesus bestows on me.
Steam rose
from the toasted English muffin. I popped it onto my plate, then scooped butter
from the plastic tub. As I spread the dairy goodness over the muffin, the
butter melted and oozed into every nook and cranny and soaked deep into the
bread. When I bit into my breakfast, the butter melted into my mouth and filled
me with delight.
The way the
butter melted into every space and filled up all the dips reminded me of the way
Jesus' love pours over me. His compassion drenches my heart, mind, soul, and very
being. He replaces the emptiness in my soul with his power and strength. I wish
I could say everyday life is easy because of Jesus' love, but that would be a
lie. Pain and sin creep in. Despair and stress take over. Paul and Barnabas said
in the book of Acts, “We must go through many hardships to enter the
kingdom of God.” I know living on earth has many difficulties, but I’m thinking of the ones that are difficulties we have as believers. Life differs
around the world, so I can only speak of my experience. In situations where I’ve
been disregarded because of my faith, or belittled, I know God's love keeps me going.
We have the
promise to be filled to fullness, totally saturated with the love and joy of
Jesus. Praise God for his love.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
A Heart for Books
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Refresh
Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
For the love of baseball.
My grandson’s baseball team had decided to go select, which meant a steeper price to pay to play. To raise money for his fees, my daughter chose to make and sell heart-shaped cake pops just in time for Valentine’s Day. The generosity of people overwhelmed us. Before she knew it, folks had ordered over 700 cake pops. I learned, in short order, what an intensive process went into those cute little pops on the end of a stick.
On the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, Maggie, Sara, and I
started the process of cutting the dough into heart shapes around 10 am. Maggie had
already baked a bunch of cakes and mixed them with icing to create the dough.
We cut or stuffed the small heart-shaped cookie cutters with dough, then set
them aside to chill. Once they set, Maggie dipped them in melted candy and we
decorated them with sprinkles and more melted candy. At 4 pm Sara left and
Michael (Maggie’s husband) joined us to decorate and wrap each one in a plastic
bag and tie it closed. I left at 6 pm and prayed they were able to finish. From
beginning to end, it took several family members to complete the task. Dilly,
Dylan, and Emma jumped in after 10pm to dip, decorate, and wrap. They worked
with Maggie until late into the night. Then, Maggie and Zeke finished and
delivered them on Sunday.
I love that so many hands helped make the load lighter, and
so did Maggie. She appreciated all who helped, either in person or financially.
Proverbs 11:25 reminds me to be generous, not just with
money, but with my time. To take the opportunity to help others and lighten
their load. I love to see this in person and be part of the refreshment of
others.
When have you been able to help someone in need? When has
someone helped you?
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Happy Valentine's Day
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Love Never Fails
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is
not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is
not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I read a post on Facebook recently, written to teenagers who
were developing crushes. The writer advised the teen to replace the name of the
person they liked for the word love in 1 Corinthians 13. I’ve also heard
pastors encourage their congregation to do the same thing with their own names.
It’s good advice on both counts.
Love is patient. Whoa! One of the most difficult
characteristics to nurture is the very first one Paul, the author of
Corinthians, mentions. I used to cringe at the word patience, because I wanted
more. How ironic is that? Over time, God has helped me grow through circumstances
to gain more patience.
Love is kind. We talk a lot about being kind. My
granddaughter bought me a charm that said, “Kind people are my kind of people.”
I love it, and I pray every day for a kinder world.
Love doesn’t envy, boast, or think more of themselves than
others (pride.) Jesus gave the ultimate example of humility. The Son of God
died for me and you.
Love doesn’t dishonor. I enjoy a good joke, as much as the
next person, but I shouldn't put someone else down to make myself feel good.
Respect others.
Love is not self-seeking. Let’s look out for each other. Time
on earth is short compared to eternity, so why not take care of each other to
make the journey better?
Love is not easily angered. When I was young, I had a
temper, and I spent many hours praying for God to help me control it, and He
did. God hears and helps.
Love keeps no records of wrongs and does not delight in
evil. Start over every day, forgive, and rejoice in truth.
Love always trusts in God, hopes in Jesus, and perseveres
with the Holy Spirit’s help.
Love never fails because God never fails. We can’t do this
alone. We need God and each other.
Love makes a difference.