Sunday

"For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise."
Folliet S. Pierpoint

Joining with the beautiful hearts at Deidra's and Sandy's blogs:





Blessings,
Linda

The Blue Bonnets are glorious this spring!

Consider the Ducks

I love these little guys. Their numbers have multiplied since I first began this new walk near our apartment complex. I imagine them arriving here with a sigh of relief at finding a pretty place to rest where they are warmed by gentle breezes.

They are still very timid - rushing into the water when they see my approaching shadow - but they are amazing. Seeing them flying over the little man-made lake and coming in for a perfect landing on the water is a delight. I sometimes hold my breath, but they always manage a graceful entrance.

When they are feeling hungry they arch their backs and dive under water. I count the seconds searching for little heads. For what seems like a very long time the surface is unbroken and then....up they pop.

As the temperatures climb, I anticipate the day I will walk by the lake and find that they have packed their little bags and headed north. And I wonder how they will know.

They encourage me, these little dependent creatures. They don't worry and fret when the temperature drops and the wind comes fiercely out of the north. They don't complain or gather in little groups to discuss the possibility of moving further south where it will stay warmer. They don't scurry around looking for a surplus supply of food just in case the next day doesn't provide all they need. They simply rely on One they cannot see to take care of them.

They don't seem particularly worried about the trip north. They aren't bombarding heaven with questions about when and where and why aren't we going now. They wait. He has never failed to send them on their way at just the right time.

Help me, Lord, to rest in You. When the fierce winds blow and when it seems You haven't heard my prayer - help me to trust. If these little ones are of such importance to You, how much more am I?

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Luke 12: 6,7

Blessings,
Linda

Our Shelter In the Storm

For twenty years a small gray and white ball of fluff graced our lives. Well, perhaps "graced" isn't the perfect word to describe her.

She lived outdoors because the boys in our family were very allergic to cats. So, despite her diminutive size she was feisty. One never knew whether she was going to purr contentedly on one's lap or take a chunk out of the hand that fed her.

In spite of that cloak of bravado she wore, there was one thing that reduced her to a limp ball of fur - thunder storms.

Her favorite spot was the porch railing. I can remember sitting out there on a summer day as the clouds began to gather in the blue sky. Slowly, almost imperceptibly Zeke's eyes would close and her head sink into her chest, and we would know a storm was coming.

She often slept on the railing (a rather risky business), but this was something different. It was almost as though she willed herself into a "cat coma." She was simply shutting down and shutting out the approaching trouble. At those times she became very docile. I carried her, without fear of injury, into her little house in the backyard where she would be safe from the storm.

I used to smile at this fearless little warrior, but I know that very often I do the same thing. When the storm clouds begin to appear on the edges of my life, I tend to draw into myself. I want to shut it out - just make it all go away. I look for ways to hide from the coming disaster.

There is no avoiding the storms. They will come. But I don't have to try to deal with them on my own. There is a hiding place for me. A place where I will be safe and protected. A place of promised grace.

The Father unfolds His wings and I run into that shelter. He wraps me in love and whispers words of encouragement. He is my help in time of trouble.

"Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life.
   I'm hiding out under your wings
      until the hurricane blows over.
   I call out to High God,
      the God who holds me together.
   He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
      he humiliates those who kick me around.
   God delivers generous love,
      he makes good on his word."
Psalm 57: 1-3

If you are going through a time of trouble, please know the Father is your place of safety. He waits with open arms to wrap you in His love and grace.

Blessings,
Linda

picture courtesy of photobucket (all of my pictures of Zeke are packed away for now).

Even The Least

With a busy schedule and limited time for blogging these days before "The Big Move," I've decided to share one small thing each day that the Lord slips into my heart in the hope that it will encourage and bless.

We, each one of us, are vitally important to the body of Christ. There are no exceptions. You may be one of the quiet ones, serving where there is no one else to see and no awards are handed out. Be assured. He sees. Whatever you do, with a heart filled with love for Him and a desire to bring glory to His name, is of great value to His kingdom.

If you weren't there doing your part, something would be missing. He takes the great and the small and everything in between and weaves them into a beautiful tapestry of grace. You are so very precious to Him.

"God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!

The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance."

I Cor. 12: 4-11 25,26 The Message

Blessings,
Linda

Busy Days

I think that over the next few weeks life will be a bit busy here. We are catching a glimpse of that little light at the end of the tunnel. Just a few things left to be done on the new house (painting the porch railing for instance) and then one more move.

My head is spinning with all of the details still to be taken care of  (Do I really have to do all that change of address "stuff" again?!). At some point I will be without internet service for a little while (Why does that make me feel all funny inside?). And there are family things that must be taken care of.

Add that to a commitment to spend less time on-line during this Lenten Season, and it means I have little time these days for visiting. I miss you when I don't get to interact. You are a sweet part of my life. It won't be for very long I hope, and I'll try to write a post here and there as time permits.

We are beyond thankful for all the Father has blessed us with. I stand on that five acres, listening to a chorus of birdsong and the wind making ocean noises through the ancient oaks, and want to weep with the sheer joy of it. I cannot take in the depth of His love.

Soon I will sit on that little front porch and invite you to come sit awhile. We'll share a cup of tea and talk about the things that are dear to our hearts. I am so thankful for you.

If you think of us, whisper a little prayer that all will go well. I'll be praying for you too.

Blessings,
Linda

Worshiping the Golden Calf

It seemed the mountain
had swallowed him up.
Memories of miracles
faded into fear and murmuring.
They traded a distant God
for one they could see and touch.

The one who should have known
fashioned their treasured gifts
into an idol they could worship,
and the people rejoiced.
Basking in the glow of approval,
he declared "a festival to the Lord!"
be celebrated the following day.

Foolishly believing they
were worshiping the true and living God
by bowing before the forbidden idol,
they once again lost their way
breaking His heart
with their blind disobedience.

Lord, let me not create idols,
believing the lie
that I am worshiping You
when I bow before them.
Sweep away all the false
gods of my own creation,
and take Your rightful place
in my heart.

Exodus 32

Blessings,
Linda

Fighting Battles

As much as we would like to avoid it, there are times when we are faced with battles. They come in all sizes and shapes - sometimes barging into our well ordered lives like the Philistine army; at other times slyly sneaking in, disguised as friends, past the well fortified places. We long for peace, knowing it is just on the other side of victory, but we fear the fight.

David was a man who certainly knew a lot about fighting battles. From the time Samuel anointed him king, he was locked in a deadly battle with the jealous, irrational Saul. After years of running and fighting, he finally took his place as king of Judah only to face another long war against Saul's followers. When that was over, there were the Philistines and other neighboring tribes who warred against him.

In all of this David was victorious, for the Lord was on his side. Before going into battle he would pray something like this, "Should I go fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" And the Lord would answer, "Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you." (II Samuel 5: 19).

What a confidence booster that must have been. How much easier to face the enemy knowing that the Lord had already given you the victory. Don't you wish we could hear from God like that?

But wait...we have.

We have a relentless enemy. Just when we think we have settled into a time of peace, he is there ready to do battle. He knows the vulnerable places and tries to slip in. Failing that, or even in addition to that, he delights in throwing the very worst of circumstances at us.

We cry out, "Lord, can I win this battle?" He answers, just as he did all those years ago to a young king, "Yes."

"...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19)

Listen to Jesus' words:
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)


He has even provided us with a suit of armor - one that fits us perfectly. (Ephesians 5: 13-18)

We will face many skirmishes in our lifetimes, but we have the assurance that Jesus has already won the war for us. Be encouraged. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Blessings,
Linda