I have been enjoying watching the geese this winter. With a pond beyond the iron fence at our back yard, the geese fly over and around our house to land on the water. Although the pond isn't ours, we get the benefits of living near it and watching and hearing what goes on.
This winter has held both the extreme cold needed to freeze the pond and the mild January days of thawing, with many days somewhere in between. Evidently these geese have chosen to stay in Iowa for the winter. I know that isn't unusual. When we were in Rochester, Minnesota one October many years ago I first learned that not all birds go south.
Ankeny builders and land developers often incorporate ponds into neighborhoods. I'd like to know how many of these ponds exist in Ankeny. The number would surprise you and me, I'm sure. Anyway there are a lot of geese who have settled here year around. With Saylorville Lake within a couple of miles I would think they would choose it over the small ponds but we rarely see the geese on Saylorville.
The geese usually fly in shortly after sunrise from all directions and we can watch them circle around and land. I love seeing their big wing-span open wide as they nearly stop in air before gently and gracefully floating down with their webbed feet set for a landing. They are funny to watch as they slide around on the ice. They often look like they are walking on water when they are on the thin ice, just before settling into the water for a float. They move in single line across the pond, or in mass invasion.
When dusk begins to appear in the west, the geese prepare for a complete exodus. Flocks of family members take off together in proper goose formation and fill the sky with their beautiful V's and the honking so recognized as their species. I wonder where they go for the night. Somewhere that offers food, perhaps a farmers field? I do not know but God does.
"Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."
I love these poetic verses from Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (NIV) written by Solomon. His wisdom tells us to have the same spirit of trust and adventure the geese show, as we face the risks of life as opportunities that God gives. We are to face these challenges on our pathway with faith and enthusiasm, without fear or worry. I view the V's of the geese as a reminder that God is in control, even when we cannot be.
May God bless your day with geese formations in the sky - reminders of the wonderful care and love God gives us.
SDG
Monday, January 29, 2018
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Wonderful Teacher
Who is/was your favorite teacher? Teachers are special people who inspire us to learn something new and exciting. It may be someone who touched your heart in a way you never imagined before. You may have several favorites - if you were lucky. There are some teachers I hardly remember, but I can name two high school teachers who changed my life.
My favorite class in high school was English I, II, III, and IV. My freshman English teacher was Miss Keifer (?). I remember her as young and professional. She inspired me to love English and writing, even more than I did before. I don't have a specific incident to recall but the entire experience left me believing that I could write. I felt like I finally found something I could do well. I wish I could find her to say, "thank you".
The positive support and direction was compounded by my junior and senior English instructor Mrs. Soorholtz. She gave me the confidence to work on the school newspaper and to express my thoughts and feelings on paper. Later, I had wonderful instructors at Marshalltown Community College who also encouraged my writing growth and improvement, as well as my general knowledge in grammar, spelling, math, science, religion and sociology.
Thank you to all of my teachers who touched my heart with their patience, direction, and inspiration.
"After John (the Baptist) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:14-15 NIV).
I know that Jesus was a wonderful teacher. He loved and cared for each of His students/disciples. In the Bible the first recorded teaching moment was with four fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus asked them to, "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men," (Mark 1:17 NIV). This simple story is so good that it was made into a child's song.
The time was ripe for teaching. The wonderful teacher begins.
SDG
Soi Deo gloria - Glory for God alone
My favorite class in high school was English I, II, III, and IV. My freshman English teacher was Miss Keifer (?). I remember her as young and professional. She inspired me to love English and writing, even more than I did before. I don't have a specific incident to recall but the entire experience left me believing that I could write. I felt like I finally found something I could do well. I wish I could find her to say, "thank you".
The positive support and direction was compounded by my junior and senior English instructor Mrs. Soorholtz. She gave me the confidence to work on the school newspaper and to express my thoughts and feelings on paper. Later, I had wonderful instructors at Marshalltown Community College who also encouraged my writing growth and improvement, as well as my general knowledge in grammar, spelling, math, science, religion and sociology.
Thank you to all of my teachers who touched my heart with their patience, direction, and inspiration.
"After John (the Baptist) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:14-15 NIV).
I know that Jesus was a wonderful teacher. He loved and cared for each of His students/disciples. In the Bible the first recorded teaching moment was with four fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus asked them to, "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men," (Mark 1:17 NIV). This simple story is so good that it was made into a child's song.
The time was ripe for teaching. The wonderful teacher begins.
SDG
Soi Deo gloria - Glory for God alone
Monday, January 22, 2018
Jesus' Example Through Baptism
(I am using some of the time between Christmas and Easter to share scriptures about Jesus' life and the events that begin and create His three year ministry.)
For Christians, believers' baptism is an outward sign of a life change initiated in the heart by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Baptism symbolizes the cleansing from sin along with the attitude and action of repentance and the admission to the community of faith.
John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:11-12 NIV).
I was blessed to grow up in a small country church in Marshall County, Iowa. It was the same country church where my parents and their parents attended. It was the same church where my father's side goes back three more generations to that of my great great great grandfather, John Arney. Where he and his neighbors gathered in his home to worship after homesteading on the Iowa prairie, close to the timber along the Iowa River.
"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:13-15 NIV).
"Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV).
Jesus was the only perfect man. He had no sin to be forgiven, yet He chose to be baptized. There are several reasons to explain why, but consider the example Jesus set. After His baptism Jesus officially began His life of ministry.
I was baptized in that precious church on April 9, 1967. It was just the beginning of my life and I had a long way to grow into the Christian I am today (I am indeed still growing in Christ everyday). I am grateful to Jesus for the life He led on this earth. For the examples He provided and the teaching He gave us.
May God touch your heart with His blessings and the ministry of Jesus Christ today.
For Christians, believers' baptism is an outward sign of a life change initiated in the heart by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Baptism symbolizes the cleansing from sin along with the attitude and action of repentance and the admission to the community of faith.
John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:11-12 NIV).
I was blessed to grow up in a small country church in Marshall County, Iowa. It was the same country church where my parents and their parents attended. It was the same church where my father's side goes back three more generations to that of my great great great grandfather, John Arney. Where he and his neighbors gathered in his home to worship after homesteading on the Iowa prairie, close to the timber along the Iowa River.
"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:13-15 NIV).
In about 1923, Clara Hilsabeck and Corwin Springer were baptized in the Iowa River. Mama remembered it was cloudy and kind of cool, in the spring.
They drove to the river at Grammer Grove where there were low banks and an open
space without a lot of trees. The river water was cold. Pastor George Biersborn took
his hand and raised water up and let it fall back. Mama said she was scared to
death. The water was waist deep. They would come up to the bank and walk out to
deeper water, enough to cover them up. Parents were lined up along the bank with
blankets ready to wrap around the youth. Mama said she didn’t want to talk for the longest time.
"Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV).
Jesus was the only perfect man. He had no sin to be forgiven, yet He chose to be baptized. There are several reasons to explain why, but consider the example Jesus set. After His baptism Jesus officially began His life of ministry.
I was baptized in that precious church on April 9, 1967. It was just the beginning of my life and I had a long way to grow into the Christian I am today (I am indeed still growing in Christ everyday). I am grateful to Jesus for the life He led on this earth. For the examples He provided and the teaching He gave us.
May God touch your heart with His blessings and the ministry of Jesus Christ today.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Renew Your Mind
With a new year rolling right along to the middle of the first month, I feel like I have catching up to do already. I talked about the time element on Monday but I found a couple of verses that spoke profoundly to me about renewing my mind. Isn't this a good time to contemplate how I look at living? What shapes and molds my thoughts? It is a good time to renew my mind.
What goes into my mind every day is probably such a vast amount I wouldn't believe it if God sent
me a print-out. Consider the conversations I hear, the TV I watch (okay, I probably shouldn't be watching Criminal Minds...), the Facebook entries I see, and the books I read. You could probably add the music I listen to, or the video games you play.
Are you getting the highest grade of fuel for your brain? Is it octane, unleaded, ethanol blend, or super premium? Lately, some of the Facebook postings have been diesel - gummy, jelled-up Iowa winter diesel.
I noticed those negative or even worse - profane posts were ruining my mind fuel. And all the miracle-promising ads, targeting me and my desires, were leaving me tempted and angry. So, I took a hiatus from Facebook. Not 100% but reading only the posts from friends who share my mindset.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will," (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)
Or as Paul writes in Ephesians: "...to be made new in the attitude of your minds," (Ephesians 4:23 NIV).
If your mind needs a little renewing, as mine does, I'd suggest heading directly to the Bible. Anything you read there will be blessed by God. His Word is sweet refreshment for the brain. You'll find hope! And encouragement! Promises meant for you and truth that no one can deny! It is my rock solid foundation where I am always sure-footed.
"Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things," (Philippians 4:8 NIV).
What goes into my mind every day is probably such a vast amount I wouldn't believe it if God sent
 |
| Amarylis Week 3 |
Are you getting the highest grade of fuel for your brain? Is it octane, unleaded, ethanol blend, or super premium? Lately, some of the Facebook postings have been diesel - gummy, jelled-up Iowa winter diesel.
I noticed those negative or even worse - profane posts were ruining my mind fuel. And all the miracle-promising ads, targeting me and my desires, were leaving me tempted and angry. So, I took a hiatus from Facebook. Not 100% but reading only the posts from friends who share my mindset.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will," (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)
Or as Paul writes in Ephesians: "...to be made new in the attitude of your minds," (Ephesians 4:23 NIV).
If your mind needs a little renewing, as mine does, I'd suggest heading directly to the Bible. Anything you read there will be blessed by God. His Word is sweet refreshment for the brain. You'll find hope! And encouragement! Promises meant for you and truth that no one can deny! It is my rock solid foundation where I am always sure-footed.
"Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things," (Philippians 4:8 NIV).
Monday, January 15, 2018
Time, Time, Time
It is January 15, 2018. Here I sit, feeling a little overwhelmed about everything I have on my plate. How can that be - I am retired. Tired, yes. Yet, I am feeling better about myself as I strive forward on my journey to grow in Christ.
By the end of the month I will be doing three Bible studies. It doesn't sound so bad as I write it, but the stack of three books and the study questions looks like a lot of concentrated study time. That's a good thing for my soul and my faith life - but there are other things to do, too. We are checking out a fitness center that has water aerobics so I've been trying to do that everyday of the free trial. That is good for my body. I have my first editing project arriving in a few days. And I have blogs to write. That is good for my mind to practice and use my knowledge of English and writing to help another writer and hopefully, my readers.
I also have a house to clean; prayers to pray; clothes to wash; snow to shovel (probably not, John does that - thankfully), a quilt to start and make; garbage to take out; bed to make; dishes to wash; ironing to do; pictures to take; grandchildren to love; letters to write; crosses to add to my wall of crosses; healthy meals to cook; Growth Group to host in February (I'll have to clean); sisters to call; groceries to shop for; plans to make; the Bible to read...
How did retirement get so busy? To be honest I rarely clean and several of those 'to-do's' will probably not get done. John would tell me to quit watching my soap opera (echoes of my mother). Even though I record it now so I can fit it into 45 minutes by skipping the ads?... I waste more hours watching television...my favorites may surprise you: Blue Bloods; Criminal Minds; The Voice; Fixer Upper; and the local and national news on KCCI. I browse through magazines and catalogues while I listen to TV - multitasking?
When I talk about time I instantly turn to Ecclesiastes. Solomon uses the first two chapters telling about things in his life that seem meaningless. It is an interesting read. But, I always turn to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV to read what my Bible calls, Solomon's "general observations."
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 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, 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," (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV).
This was one of Mama's favorite scriptures and now is one of mine. The Byrds even used portions of this scripture in their song, "Turn, Turn, Turn".
Lord, help me use my time productively each day. Guide my actions so I am doing Your will for my life. I want to be more like Jesus every day. Amen.
By the end of the month I will be doing three Bible studies. It doesn't sound so bad as I write it, but the stack of three books and the study questions looks like a lot of concentrated study time. That's a good thing for my soul and my faith life - but there are other things to do, too. We are checking out a fitness center that has water aerobics so I've been trying to do that everyday of the free trial. That is good for my body. I have my first editing project arriving in a few days. And I have blogs to write. That is good for my mind to practice and use my knowledge of English and writing to help another writer and hopefully, my readers.
I also have a house to clean; prayers to pray; clothes to wash; snow to shovel (probably not, John does that - thankfully), a quilt to start and make; garbage to take out; bed to make; dishes to wash; ironing to do; pictures to take; grandchildren to love; letters to write; crosses to add to my wall of crosses; healthy meals to cook; Growth Group to host in February (I'll have to clean); sisters to call; groceries to shop for; plans to make; the Bible to read...
How did retirement get so busy? To be honest I rarely clean and several of those 'to-do's' will probably not get done. John would tell me to quit watching my soap opera (echoes of my mother). Even though I record it now so I can fit it into 45 minutes by skipping the ads?... I waste more hours watching television...my favorites may surprise you: Blue Bloods; Criminal Minds; The Voice; Fixer Upper; and the local and national news on KCCI. I browse through magazines and catalogues while I listen to TV - multitasking?
When I talk about time I instantly turn to Ecclesiastes. Solomon uses the first two chapters telling about things in his life that seem meaningless. It is an interesting read. But, I always turn to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV to read what my Bible calls, Solomon's "general observations."
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 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, 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," (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV).
This was one of Mama's favorite scriptures and now is one of mine. The Byrds even used portions of this scripture in their song, "Turn, Turn, Turn".
Lord, help me use my time productively each day. Guide my actions so I am doing Your will for my life. I want to be more like Jesus every day. Amen.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Beginning A Ministry
Ministry is defined as the act of serving, in my American Heritage dictionary.
Jesus came to earth knowing His ministry. It was foretold 500-600 years before by the prophet Jeremiah. Along with others, God gave Jeremiah the important task of proclaiming the word of God and sharing His prophecies with the people of Judah. But it wasn't easy. Oh, Jeremiah obeyed God faithfully, but when he spoke, no-one listened. By human standards of success Jeremiah was a failure. However, by God's standards Jeremiah was deeply loved for fulfilling His will.
"The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more," (Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV & Hebrews 8:8-12 NIV).
Jesus fulfilled this and many other prophecies. His purpose in life was to walk with us and teach us the Word of God so we would surrender ourselves to God and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
"But Jesus' priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he's working from a far better plan. If the first plan--the old covenant--had worked out, a second wouldn't have been needed. But we know the first was found wanting, because God said,
"Heads up! The days are coming when I'll set up a new plan for dealing with Israel and Judah. I'll throw out he old plan I set up with their ancestors when I led them by the hand out of Egypt. They didn't keep their part of the bargain, so I looked away and let it go. This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts. I'll be their God, they'll be my people. They won't go to school to learn about me, or buy a book called 'God in Five Easy Lessons'. They'll all get to know me first-hand, the little and the big, the small and the great. They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean." (Hebrews 8:6-12 MSG).
Jeremiah had a ministry. Jesus had a ministry. We each have a ministry, too. It is our purpose, just as it was for the prophet Jeremiah, and our Savior Jesus Christ.
My ministry, my act of serving is to use my life to help others learn, grow in faith, and believe in Jesus Christ. I hope one day I will hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV).
Jesus came to earth knowing His ministry. It was foretold 500-600 years before by the prophet Jeremiah. Along with others, God gave Jeremiah the important task of proclaiming the word of God and sharing His prophecies with the people of Judah. But it wasn't easy. Oh, Jeremiah obeyed God faithfully, but when he spoke, no-one listened. By human standards of success Jeremiah was a failure. However, by God's standards Jeremiah was deeply loved for fulfilling His will.
 |
| Week Two Amaryllis |
"The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more," (Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV & Hebrews 8:8-12 NIV).
Jesus fulfilled this and many other prophecies. His purpose in life was to walk with us and teach us the Word of God so we would surrender ourselves to God and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
"But Jesus' priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he's working from a far better plan. If the first plan--the old covenant--had worked out, a second wouldn't have been needed. But we know the first was found wanting, because God said,
"Heads up! The days are coming when I'll set up a new plan for dealing with Israel and Judah. I'll throw out he old plan I set up with their ancestors when I led them by the hand out of Egypt. They didn't keep their part of the bargain, so I looked away and let it go. This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts. I'll be their God, they'll be my people. They won't go to school to learn about me, or buy a book called 'God in Five Easy Lessons'. They'll all get to know me first-hand, the little and the big, the small and the great. They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean." (Hebrews 8:6-12 MSG).
Jeremiah had a ministry. Jesus had a ministry. We each have a ministry, too. It is our purpose, just as it was for the prophet Jeremiah, and our Savior Jesus Christ.
My ministry, my act of serving is to use my life to help others learn, grow in faith, and believe in Jesus Christ. I hope one day I will hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21 NIV).
Monday, January 8, 2018
Jesus Turns Thirty
What were you doing when you turned 30 years old? For me, 30 was a devastating birthday. While I watched my friends and acquaintances with their college degrees and successful careers, I hit that glowing number and felt like a real loser. I was in a deep depression because I felt I had nothing to show for my 30 years, except my two sons and a solid marriage. I know, I know, those are wonderful life treasures, but I was selfishly thinking about 'me' and what a failure I had become. The magic number of 30 arrived and I had not.
The Bible quickly skips through Jesus' life following His Holy birth in Bethlehem. We are shown only two instances in His childhood when Jesus is taken to the temple to be consecrated to the Lord, and again when His parents took him to Jerusalem for Passover and Jesus stays behind, studying with the teachers in the temple courts. At age 12, Jesus was already showing a unparalleled understanding of the scriptures - far beyond a normal pre-teenager.
For 18 years we have no description of Jesus' life in the scriptures but that all changes when Jesus is baptized by John. "And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased," (Luke 3:21b-22 NIV).
Jesus patiently waited for His time, as determined and revealed by God. I wasn't so patient when I was 30. It was nearly 10 more years before God opened the doors for me to pursue the college education that I so desired. Then He opened the door for me to have a career in writing that I longed for. God has blessed me beyond measure.
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18 NIV).
So what are you waiting for today? Have patience - for God will give you the desires of your heart!
The Bible quickly skips through Jesus' life following His Holy birth in Bethlehem. We are shown only two instances in His childhood when Jesus is taken to the temple to be consecrated to the Lord, and again when His parents took him to Jerusalem for Passover and Jesus stays behind, studying with the teachers in the temple courts. At age 12, Jesus was already showing a unparalleled understanding of the scriptures - far beyond a normal pre-teenager.
For 18 years we have no description of Jesus' life in the scriptures but that all changes when Jesus is baptized by John. "And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased," (Luke 3:21b-22 NIV).
Jesus patiently waited for His time, as determined and revealed by God. I wasn't so patient when I was 30. It was nearly 10 more years before God opened the doors for me to pursue the college education that I so desired. Then He opened the door for me to have a career in writing that I longed for. God has blessed me beyond measure.
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" (Isaiah 30:18 NIV).
So what are you waiting for today? Have patience - for God will give you the desires of your heart!
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Winter Beauty
January has made quite a statement in the first few days, continuing the bitter cold of late December.
We've found new winter olympic sports to add to our list: truck diesel freezing up; shoveling snow in below zero temperatures; adding heaters to the sheep shed so they stay warm; forcing a grandpuppy out to do her job when her tiny feet get frozen; bundling up in boots, insulated coats, and hoods to prevent frostbite.
Seems like I'm on a constant search to find the gloves. Mostly I stay inside, like a spoiled brat. I've gone into hibernation only without the sleep. I get bundled up under blankets and read.
But, today I'm going to focus on the beauty winter brings. The sunrises and sunsets have been amazing; so full of color and brilliance. Yesterday there were sun dogs framing the sun with brilliant pinks spreading their glow across the snow covered ground. And the 'super moon' has been amazing
as it rises in the east. Huge and full, it rose quickly to light up the surroundings as if it was day. The weatherman said there would be another one at the end of the month!
I love the snow blanket. Sparkling like diamonds, twinkling like stars, covering the dreary dormant grass and plants and adding a beautiful accent to the evergreen trees. I saw the first rabbit tracks through our yard, and watched deer stand in a snow-coated field twice in the same location, wondering what they were finding to eat - probably a neighbor's trees or bushes. There are birds searching for food - delighting in a full bird feeder. Even as I drove home in the snow on Saturday night, I couldn't help but love the huge snow flakes falling so peacefully.
God promised Noah that He would never again destroy what covers the earth until the day Jesus returns, and the change of seasons is our reminder of that.
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease," (Genesis 8:22 NIV).
I'm thankful for our God whose creativity gives us such beauty to enjoy; even when our toes and fingers are nearly frozen.
Lord, open our eyes to the day-to-day beauty that surrounds us. Touch our hearts with the loveliness that accompanies the cold. We are blessed every day; help us remember to give You alone praise and glory. Amen.
We've found new winter olympic sports to add to our list: truck diesel freezing up; shoveling snow in below zero temperatures; adding heaters to the sheep shed so they stay warm; forcing a grandpuppy out to do her job when her tiny feet get frozen; bundling up in boots, insulated coats, and hoods to prevent frostbite.
Seems like I'm on a constant search to find the gloves. Mostly I stay inside, like a spoiled brat. I've gone into hibernation only without the sleep. I get bundled up under blankets and read.
But, today I'm going to focus on the beauty winter brings. The sunrises and sunsets have been amazing; so full of color and brilliance. Yesterday there were sun dogs framing the sun with brilliant pinks spreading their glow across the snow covered ground. And the 'super moon' has been amazing as it rises in the east. Huge and full, it rose quickly to light up the surroundings as if it was day. The weatherman said there would be another one at the end of the month!
I love the snow blanket. Sparkling like diamonds, twinkling like stars, covering the dreary dormant grass and plants and adding a beautiful accent to the evergreen trees. I saw the first rabbit tracks through our yard, and watched deer stand in a snow-coated field twice in the same location, wondering what they were finding to eat - probably a neighbor's trees or bushes. There are birds searching for food - delighting in a full bird feeder. Even as I drove home in the snow on Saturday night, I couldn't help but love the huge snow flakes falling so peacefully.
God promised Noah that He would never again destroy what covers the earth until the day Jesus returns, and the change of seasons is our reminder of that.
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease," (Genesis 8:22 NIV).
I'm thankful for our God whose creativity gives us such beauty to enjoy; even when our toes and fingers are nearly frozen.
Lord, open our eyes to the day-to-day beauty that surrounds us. Touch our hearts with the loveliness that accompanies the cold. We are blessed every day; help us remember to give You alone praise and glory. Amen.
Monday, January 1, 2018
And He Will Be Our Peace
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you," (John 14:27a NIV).
A new year is before us. It's a wiped clean whiteboard, an empty calendar, an unmarked journey, and 365 days of experiences and opportunities ready to fill a journal and a heart with trust in the Lord. And peace. The peace that Jesus brought to us by His birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
What does peace mean to you this year? Peace can be defined as a state of calm, serenity, freedom from strife or discord, or harmony in relationships. However, the peace that Jesus brought to humankind was even greater than those. The reason Jesus had to come was to be a bridge between God and us. We were estranged from God by our sin. Someone, Only Jesus, had to come and pay the price for our sins and make us clean and pure so God could relate to us again.
Because of Jesus we are able to have a personal relationship with God without fear of His judgement. Jesus wiped away our guilt and the discord our sinfulness created. Jesus Christ's peace fills us with peaceful assurance even when our world continues to have wars. Our Savior Jesus Christ came to bring us peace. And one day, when Jesus returns to the earth again, we believers are positive that there will be no more war, no fighting, no killing, no more painful disagreements or misunderstandings.
"He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken," (Micah 4:3-4 NIV).
It is a new year: 2018. Jesus will return one day; one year; at a time we do not know. Until that time we can experience the peace of Jesus within us, even though we see wars continuing around us. Jesus is our peace and we can claim that peace of love and forgiveness as our own. That is how we can get through 2018.
"And he will be their peace," (Micah 5:5a NIV).
A new year is before us. It's a wiped clean whiteboard, an empty calendar, an unmarked journey, and 365 days of experiences and opportunities ready to fill a journal and a heart with trust in the Lord. And peace. The peace that Jesus brought to us by His birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
What does peace mean to you this year? Peace can be defined as a state of calm, serenity, freedom from strife or discord, or harmony in relationships. However, the peace that Jesus brought to humankind was even greater than those. The reason Jesus had to come was to be a bridge between God and us. We were estranged from God by our sin. Someone, Only Jesus, had to come and pay the price for our sins and make us clean and pure so God could relate to us again.
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| Amaryllis Bulb on Jan. 1, 2018 |
Because of Jesus we are able to have a personal relationship with God without fear of His judgement. Jesus wiped away our guilt and the discord our sinfulness created. Jesus Christ's peace fills us with peaceful assurance even when our world continues to have wars. Our Savior Jesus Christ came to bring us peace. And one day, when Jesus returns to the earth again, we believers are positive that there will be no more war, no fighting, no killing, no more painful disagreements or misunderstandings.
"He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken," (Micah 4:3-4 NIV).
It is a new year: 2018. Jesus will return one day; one year; at a time we do not know. Until that time we can experience the peace of Jesus within us, even though we see wars continuing around us. Jesus is our peace and we can claim that peace of love and forgiveness as our own. That is how we can get through 2018.
"And he will be their peace," (Micah 5:5a NIV).
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