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Some Fell Along the Path

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:00:10 GMT

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it,

while all the people stood on the shore.

Then he told them many things in parables, saying:

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed,

some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched,

and they withered because they had no root.

Other seed fell among thorns,

which grew up and choked the plants.

Still other seed fell on good soil,

where it produced a crop—a hundred,

sixty or thirty times what was sown.

He who has ears, let him hear."

Matthew 13:1-9

He Heals

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:00:07 GMT

It was just a fenced in cage with some ordinary sand cranes....or was it?

My husband and I were visiting a special rehabilitation area for injured animals.

He noticed it first.

They each had lost a leg.

The story doesnt end there without hope for these tall, graceful birds.

In fact, the story gets very interesting, with an unfolding plot of compassion and care.

Each bird had a prosthetic leg.

Suddenly coming to the realization of what we were seeing, I was gently shocked by the apparent concern for the well being of these cranes. Someone cared.

They cared a lot, in fact.

Pleasantly surprised by the sight, I also noticed that they had acclimated to their new limbs rather well. One bird actually used his artificial leg to reach up and scratch himself. They had been given a new chance at life when things looked impossible.

They all seemed to be getting along rather nicely with each other, without complaint.

I wonder what they thought of their shared predicaments; not only that, but their shared redemption from certain death in the wild.

Who designed each individual prosthesis to compensate for every unique injury? Who lovingly fitted them to each bird?

I may never know.

Who is ready to bind up our wounds? To rescue us in the wild of life when we can no longer stand?

Who takes us in and replaces what was lost? Who gives us a second chance at life?

Thats an answer I DO know.

It is God.

And Underneath

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:00:08 GMT

I just hadnt been paying attention, I guess.

Suddenly, I looked up to see that we would be traveling underneath a bridge. How majestic it was! I know, of course, that it was formed of concrete and reinforcing steel, but it looked strong and sleek, like a towering carved sculpture of ivory and alabaster---smooth and flowing with its graceful arcs. Its very presence drew my attention.

Vast and expansive, it stood solidly as people traveled in safety above and below its pilings.

Like the bridge, God is strong. He is the very author of strength. How majestic He is! How vast is His glory!

We may take refuge in Him as we are kept safely in His everlasting arms.

Appeared to All Men

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:00:07 GMT

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing

of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness

and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,

eager to do what is good.

Titus 2:11-14

The Rising Sun Will Come to Us

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:00:08 GMT

John the Baptists father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied about him. He spoke of how John would prepare the way for Jesus, who is our "rising sun." Each of the four translations below describe this thought:

Because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven (NIV)

With the loving mercy of our God,
a new day from heaven will dawn upon us. (NCV)

Gods love and kindness will shine upon us

like the sun that rises in the sky. (CEV)

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us... (KJV)

Because of Gods tender, loving mercy--His love and kindness---we have Jesus, our Savior, who takes away the sins of the world!

Consider

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:00:08 GMT

I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 119:14-16

If we take the time to sit and read the Bible, what happens?

If we take the time to consider what it says, what happens?

If we think about Gods guidelines for our lives, what happens?

If we ponder Gods ways, what happens?

Im not going to tell you.

Id like you to experience it for yourself...

Well Watered Garden

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:00:07 GMT

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;
       he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
       and will strengthen your frame.
       You will be like a well-watered garden,
       like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:9b-11

About the Ninety-Nine

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:00:13 GMT

Last night, my mind was filled with thoughts, wondering about a spiritual direction that a friend seemed to be headed in.

As I turned to a passage in the scriptures, I was hoping to find some insight. I had not planned to look at any particular place.

Beginning to read, my eyes had come to rest on the story of the shepherd who had one hundred sheep. When just one of the fold wanders away, he leaves the ninety-nine who are together and goes in search of the sheep who is lost:

"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

Matthew 18:12-14

When I went to church this morning, the pastor spoke of this very same story. God was bringing this to me once again.

God loves my friend. It is not His desire that they "wander away." However, if that should ever be the case, He is ready to search for them in order to restore them back to the flock.

What a precious picture of Gods tender love toward us.

Compassion and Mercy

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:00:07 GMT

Compassion.

Its origin is from a Latin word, meaning "co-suffering."

Does God understand our suffering?

Does He understand our sorrow?

What about our lonliness?

Our fear?

Our temptation?

Our weakness?

Our frailty?

What about our doubting?

Does He understand our weariness?

He comes alongside us with great compassion, in whatever condition we are in.

"The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11c

O My Strength

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:00:07 GMT

Its always quiet there--except for the birds.

A few birds?

No.

An entire community of birds. Many different kinds.

Squawking, chirping, flapping, paddling.

Feathers ruffling, take-offs, landings, beaks plunged into the water.

You might envision this place far into the countryside, undisturbed by man. Well, this is not the case.

Located in a neighborhood, a single pond with an island is surrounded by houses, bordering a long, paved road.

The island is filled with brush and tangled trees. It is also FILLED with birds.

I love to sit or stand at the waters edge and photograph the wide variety of tenants as they carry on their day to day tasks.

On one such day, I photographed a lovely bird who was sitting.

Sitting and waiting.

Waiting and watching.

Watching intently.

Psalm 59:9a refers to God as "Strength."

"O my Strength, I watch for You."

We should be still and wait for God.

We should wait for God and watch for Him.

We should watch for God, and do so intently.

He is our Strength..

Higher Then the Heavens

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:09 GMT

The Space Shuttle program is nearing its close. Being the only craft with wings to achieve orbit and also land, it is a fascinating achievement of technology.

Living as near the launch sight as I do, viewing a shuttle on its ascent into the heavens has been exciting over the years. Several weeks ago, I was privileged to see the "out of this world" color plumes created before dawn as it sped upward beyond the confines of Earth.

Standing near my house, gazing into the morning sky at the marvelous mix of vibrancy and brilliance, I was captivated. I think I understand the meaning of that word now. It was as if I couldnt look away from the magnificent scene in the sky. If I only glanced away for a moment, the currents of air might have altered the appearance of the clouds, and I wouldve missed it.

Alone in the early morning air, I stood near the fence surrounding the farmland owned by our neighbor. The spectacular view hung before me, suspended in the atmosphere, a testament to what God has allowed man to do. It was also a silent analogy of His great love for you and for me.

Psalm 108:4 says,

"For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

Thirsts

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:00:08 GMT

Many years ago, I enrolled in marching band at the new school I was entering. At the fine age of twelve years, I began a rigorous routine of learning to march in the hot autumn sun, spending long periods of time in the grassy practice field.

After practice was over, band members would go inside the building to find water fountains. I, for one, was incredibly thirsty. Meeting that need was probably about all that was on my mind.

Have you ever been thirsty for a word from God?

There was a particular time in my life when I had a driving desire to know what God felt about something. I would look up different passages on the subject. I prayed. At least once, I wrote a question beside a chapter in my Bible about how to interpret what it seemed to mean.

I was thirsty.

Thirsty to know Gods heart on the matter.

Thirsty to understand the truth.

The author of Psalm 42 was also thirsty. He writes,

"My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?" Psalm 42:2

When we are weary from the sun and our outdoor tasks, we think, "Where is the water fountain? When can I go in a have a drink?"

When we are longing to understand God, we think,

"When can I meet with God?

When will I be closer to Him?

When will I understand more?"

Set My Heart Free

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:00:11 GMT

The children were having a wonderful time playing with the bubbles. With small bubble-creating wands, they blew dozens of carefree, floating orbs into the sky.

Reflecting a rainbow assortment of glistening colors, each bubble left the confines of the wand, set on a destination through the air. Some rose higher and higher without popping, far up above us. Some stayed on a more horizontal course, carried along by the wind. They were free.

For me, the existance of bubbles is fascinating. With just a puff of air, a liquid suddenly takes on a completely spherical shape; God shows us perfect mathematical equations in every aspect of creation.

If you have ever felt worried or burdened, lost or overwhelmed, then you have experienced the opposite of freedom. Many conditions of day to day living stand patiently by, waiting to catch us at low moments in order to weigh us down and render us unproductive.

When we are confronted with these negative feelings, we are not without help. Taking the time to stop and pray at the first sign of discouragement is the first step toward regaining the freedom that God offers us. God can calm a troubled heart and ease a worried mind.

He can set you free.

You Made the World

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 21:00:08 GMT

Yesterday, I trimmed some tree limbs in our front yard.

I didnt finish....

So, today, I trimmed them more.

This was, or so it seemed, a tremendous source of entertainment for a great many curious dragonflies.

Upon sensing my presence, I was visited by a variety of dragonflies. At warp speed, they zoom into your personal zone, stop, and hover near you. What goes on in their minds? Whatever it is, it is considered quickly and they jerk into high gear and reorient themselves to another vantage point or disappear entirely from view.

So as not to be misunderstood, let me clarify---I thoroughly enjoy my encounters with these wondrous creatures. When I see them flitting about, it brings a certain joy to my heart.

I have been reading lately from a New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs added. Last night, I was reading from Psalm 89, written by Ethan, the Ezrahite. In verse eleven he writes,

"The skies and the earth belong to You. You made the world and everything in it."

The visits from the dragonflies? They are gifts from God to me.

He created them.

They belong to Him.

They are beautiful,

and He sends them to my front door...

Worthy of Praise

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:00:08 GMT

I was in a service this morning that was very meaningful.

During the portion devoted to singing praises to God, two members walked together around the inner perimeter of the room, with hands raised, praising God.

I have heard of prayer walking before, where believers get together and take walks while praying, perhaps in their neighborhoods. This was different.

As I pondered their praise, I thought of Heaven and what it might be like there. Wouldnt there be creatures who are continually before God giving Him praise? Like the two worshipers I saw this morning, wouldnt there be forgiven saints of God walking and praising Him?

God is worthy.

Happy

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:00:08 GMT

Happy is the person

(not troubled, upset, worried, afraid, downcast or burdened)

whose sins are forgiven,

(not looming over their heads, permanently stored, remembered forever or unable to be erased)

whose wrongs are pardoned. ---Psalm 32:1

(not waiting for payment, creating distance from God, continually birthing new guilt)

How about you?

Are you happy?

Keep Your Roots

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:00:07 GMT

How deep is deep?

Of course, that depends. It depends on what youre considering.

Bamboo trees grow tall and lovely in this part of the country. Their slender leaves stretch tenderly outward with a gentle hue of green.

How deep are the roots of a bamboo tree? I have read of at least one type with roots that plunged over four feet.

If water and nutrients are to be found, the roots must run deeply.

If we, as Christians, are to find our strength, we must keep our spiritual "roots" growing deeply in God.

Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful. --Colossians 2:7

Do All You Can

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:00:07 GMT

Do all you can to live a peaceful life.

Take care of your own business,

and do your own work as we have already told you.

If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you,

and you will not have to depend on others for what you need.

---I Thessalonians 4:11-12

Draw Near

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:00:07 GMT

The road was somewhat steep and winding. The mist hung delicately in a soft blanket on the branches.

There was nothing fake there; no city lights, flashing signs or enticing barrage of media.

Only the tender green of the living plants and trees that populated the mountain, hugging the soil as they cascaded down the slopes to the valleys below.

Sincere.

Real.

Transparent.

In our shame and guilt, or perhaps our lack of self-esteem, we tend to shrink back from telling God what we really feel inside, somehow ignoring the fact that He knows our deepest thoughts.

We can approach God sincerely.

We can be real.

We can be transparent.

Theres no need to be fake.

"..and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." ---Hebrews 10:21-23