The Lord Bless you!

God’s Word endures forever!

We saw beautiful flowers while in Seattle recently. I was in awe of the beauty but wondered how long they would last.  Comforting to know that the Word of God lasts forever!  His promises were meant for me when I was a child and meant for me now as an adult.  Great to know that his promises and love are there for me as I get older!!

The fear repeller

We were driving on North Carolina highway 12 on the Outerbanks.  With water on either side of us, the wind kicking up, fear crept in as all I saw was water and a narrow road ahead. We came into the town of Merlo Beach and saw the destruction of  hurricane Irene.  I could imagine the fear of the residents as the wind and waves caused destruction.

Realizing that the Lord is my stronghold through all kinds of situations is a fear repeller. Yes, there will be difficulties that we will wonder how to get through but with God on my side I am in His stronghold.

Whom or what shall I fear?

I lift my eyes!

It is so easy to see only the every day drudgery. But when I lift my eyes up to see what God would want me to see; wow, it’s a different perspective!  Life isn’t always easy, in fact it can be rough! But life from Gods perspective is better! He has the best view and knows what is best for us! Our God knows how He will get us through those rough patches. Lift your eyes to the almighty, powerful, loving heavenly Father and see how your perspective changes!

The End

The end of vacation has many different feelings for people.  I was in an airport recently listening to people who were heading home from vacation. Some of the comments:

“I need a vacation to recover from my vacation!”

“I don’t want to go back to work!”

“This was so Great!”

“I don’t want it to end”

But some were starting to think about the things that faced them at home and were making plans.  Some were checking work emails, others making to-do lists as they were preparing for the reentry into the real world.

Are those some of the same reactions as we think of end of life issues?    Instead of planning and being prepared to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ we focus on what is here on earth and don’t want to leave family and friends. Can we think of going to heaven with great anticipation when our time comes knowing what a fantastic place heaven will be?  Knowing that by believing in Jesus Christ as my Savior I get to go to the most beautiful, perfect place in the entire universe. Now that’s something to look forward to! Better than any vacation we have ever experienced!

Take time to prepare for the end of your journey by being in God’s word, worshiping our amazing God and talking to others about your faith. The end may be a long way off for you but just like planning for a vacation the anticipation can be part of the fun. Take God with you into all parts of your life! Enjoy your journey!

Waiting!

We are waiting for spring,  longing for the warmer weather to arrive, anticipating flowers bursting with riotous color.  Although we have to wait (yes, four inches of snow today) we know without a doubt it will come.

We have the same certainty of the forgiveness of ours sins from our Heavenly Father. 

Spring?!

Because Jesus paid for our sins by dying on the cross for us we can be confident that forgiveness is ours.  God’s Word has told us this, my certain hope!

 ³ If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
   Lord, who could stand?
⁴ But with you there is forgiveness,
   so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

 ⁵ I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
   and in his word I put my hope. Psalms130:3-5~~~ Waiting to sit on the front porch! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scripture and a Snapshot. People using their love of scripture and photography on their blogs.  Check out others using their gifts.

Spring break!

Iowa is not your typical spring break destination.  But this sign showed up this week just in time for the start of spring break.  It made me laugh!  I could envision that this is the typical sign in Florida, not Iowa, welcoming the droves of people to their sunshine state.

Iowa – the new destination for spring break?  Not likely.  But I wondered about contentment for those who couldn’t afford this year to go to the warmer climates for their spring break.  Can we celebrate the sunshine of Iowa, enjoy the time off from school, embrace the weather whatever it is?

Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, ¹² “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Spring break Iowa style!  I am content! (still praying for warm weather this next week, tho!)

What a friend you have in Jesus!

What a friend I have in Jesus!

What are the characteristics of a good friend?  I think of someone who is there when I really need them, accepts me even when I’m a bit weird, laughs with me,  encourages me, tells me to get my act together, challenges me, knows me better than most people and holds me accountable.  I’ve described what Jesus is in my life.  He does all of these things and more to perfection.  Jesus loves me so much that He died on the cross to take away all of the things I do wrong.  The love that He has for me is hard to describe.  I pray that you too can experience and know the love that Jesus has for you! Happy New Year!

Thankful!

Got your running shoes on?  ‘Tis the season where we try to jam more things into our already busy days. These things are memory-making moments as we try to make this time of year a fairy tale experience for our families. It’s fitting that we start with Thanksgiving, a time to reflect and to be thankful. But wait, I don’t have time to be thankful!  It takes time and energy to think of the great things God has blessed me with in my life. Or does it? Maybe it’s just having an attitude of gratitude where we can see the things in our lives as blessings.

• Dust—look at the object under that layer of dust.
• Washing dishes-thankful for the food you ate
• Muddy footprints-check out the floor it’s on or the person who created it.
• Pile of laundry-thank you for automatic washing machines (no river washing for me!)

Play the game with your children or grandchildren in finding the unusual every day things to be thankful for.  Like ants! Who’s thankful for ants?  Yet they are an important part of God’s creation. Or have you thought about the nails that hold your house together. I’m thankful my house holds together against the strong winds that we have had! Have fun with your family finding the things around you to be thankful for. May it be a blessing to you as we head into this fairy tale season filled with thanksgiving to our powerful and mighty God who blesses us beyond our comprehension!

Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!

Reflection

Reflections

In our busy lives how often do we take time to reflect or think? Our lives move at break neck speed so that we are constantly thinking ahead rather than back.  At times it’s beneficial to reflect on words spoken, events taken place, and examples set. We can learn a lot from those reflections! They can impact our decisions for the future.

Taking time for reflection on God’s Word will guide us in our life! Let him speak to you through His Word! Reflect on it, reexamine it, and allow God’s Word to linger on your heart and mind.

Reflect on this verse:

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Sitting on the front porch reflecting!