towards the light

I don’t know about you but I do walk down the street and through the store looking to engage eyes with others and share a smile or hello. I’m finding more and more are either on the phone, looking at the phone or hanging their head to avoid everyone.

It was something I noticed years ago in the office hallways and see amplified in our techno world.

Distance and distraction that leaves others feeling less and less light in their lives.

Be the light! No matter who will or will not look. Someone is noticing.
Shine the light! You don’t know whose darkness will be dispelled.
Pray in advance for the LIGHT! God knows how to prepare hearts in advance so you can do your part as His vessel in every step you take.

Everything was created through him;
    nothing—not one thing!—
    came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life,
    and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
    the darkness couldn’t put it out.
John 1:3-5 MSG

 

 

you are needed

Where’s Your Focus?

It’s always interesting to talk with new believers and hear the concerns they have in their blossoming relationship with Jesus. Thinking they have done too much wrong in there life (so did I), were committed at one time and walked away (so did I), don’t quite know what His plans are for them (with ya), and just feel like they missed the boat (been there).

It is wonderful to be able to show them how vast is His loving forgiveness and how far the east is from the west. The redeeming power found in the blood of Christ and how He showers us with grace after grace. He even knows ahead when we will take those detours but is still willing to guide us where we need to be.

He knew each of us before the creation of the world and HE ACTUALLY NEEDS US TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSES on this earth. 

It’s not just our need for God – He needs us, doing what He planned long ago. God will do all that we let Him to bring that to be.

The choice is ours.

Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, That you may be wise in the time to come. Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). Proverbs 19:20-21 AMP

never the same

a different view

Each year I eagerly await the transformation of one tree in my yard. I never catch the colors the same, especially waiting for a sunny day to take photos. Last week the glorious reds were gaining on the greens, now an abundance of golden hues.

All of creation changes so differently. Plants, creatures, people and weather! Definitely something we can be grateful for and other times, steadiness would be good Lord!

I think that is why I find great comfort that God is never changing. The only thing that can always be sure for us. The Creator of all.

I beautiful day of sunshine and simplicity.
Magnifying the Great I AM!

A lyric from years ago comes to mind….
“Just one touch from The King – changes everything!”
Godfrey Birtill (I was used to Old Man Worship Band singing :D)

flourishing

flourishing

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 92:12-15 NIV

whole self

Swift – mixed media

He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:10-12

I feel this speaks to part of a dream I had. I was wearing a suit, a jacket and slacks in royal blue. Some other clothing was over the clothes like a gown. I “strategically” removed my suit while still having the over-garment on. In human terms – not easy at all!

Our redemption does not happen by what we do…the work has been done by Jesus on the cross already…not by human hands. It really is not about us…but about HIM!

His grace is sufficient!

enter

Creekside

Some weeks I create more “drafts” then I do posts. This was one where I found great words, more questions and continue to seek wisdom. It makes this painting call to me as a resting place…

God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people!

His river flows right through the city of God-Most-High, into his holy dwelling place. God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen, with the appearing of the dawn.

When the nations are in uproar, with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice
and the earth begins to disintegrate before him!

Here he comes!
The Commander!
The mighty Lord of Angel-Armies is on our side!
The God of Jacob fights for us!
Psalm 46:4-7 The Passion Translation

in the quiet

Glowing Trio

One of those last warm nights to sit on the screened porch with the cats, listening to the gentle breeze, hearing the crickets, and feeling the peace of His presence. A beautiful way to end the day and celebrate all He has planned for His children, His Bride.

Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.

The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!
1 Thessalonians 5:15-24 MSG

detour or destruction

warning – bridge out

We often get so focused on the bumps in the road in this worldly life, we forget there is a bigger picture. It’s not about what we do – it is about who (whose) we are.

The good news – and there always is good news!!

Death is not our destruction.

For many the goal is to have quality health, amazing family, and faith in “something.” And most will admit it hasn’t worked so well. If a great “worldly” life is the plan – are we really doing what we were created for?

Answering the call of our Lord, you can expect to have some bumps. Maybe that’s what scares some from stepping out…

I started writing this in June…so many thoughts along the way…

“Fear not” and “Do not be afraid” are mentioned 365 times in the Bible. I feel if we were living from that perspective with love, peace and joy, we’ll see problems as great possibilities!

Click to read more about this photo from Haiti.

hope full

Hanging On

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Romans 8:22-28

like a river

Garden Flow

Sometimes you just need to go with the song in your head…

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford