Sunday, January 12, 2014

Eternity's Mirror

 
I tend to view the circumstances in my life in the here and now,
but when I stop and listen to the Holy Spirit,
He breaks through the window of my life and shows me
how to see things through His eyes.
 
I do not want to minimize the circumstances you or I may be in,
for we all have moments, days, even long periods of times when circumstances
seem to be too much. These circumstances may change or stay with us the rest of our lives.
Perhaps like me, you have a physical disability that may not change.
Perhaps a relationship is tearing at your heart.
Perhaps you do not feel God's presence and wonder if you ever will again.
These and other circumstances are very real, I know.
 
But just for now,
stop and read the prayer below.
You may want to make it your heart's prayer...
 
 

 You may want these words to be your heart's words...
 
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
 
 
It is my heart's desire that I may learn to take each circumstance in my life and hold it up to the mirror of eternity. I know I have a long ways to go to remember to do this, but perhaps by writing this, I will be reminded to do just that. Perhaps by reading this, you, too, may choose to join me.
 
 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Let the Little Children...


 
Toddler sits on my lap as we read
David and Goliath in the beloved Beginner’s Bible.
He loves this story.
Then he turns the pages and names the people
he knows from our readings.
As he turns and turns, he says, “I need God. Where is God?”
 
Talk about a teachable moment.

 
 
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14
 
 

Monday, December 30, 2013

A Happy Anniversary with My Best Friend

 
December was our 38th anniversary, and we celebrated by going for a drive to Red Lodge, a small mountain town that sits at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains and is only 60 miles from our home. It had been a while since we had been there; in fact, it has been a long while since we had gone anywhere, and Lauren recognized my need to get out of the house, out of town, and out in the open, where the sun was shining on the snow and the air was fresh with a bit of chill.
 
We didn't bring our camera, but I found a few photos online that represent our drive. There are quite a few farms and ranches as well as homes dotted here and there. The roads were clear, and the snow made the scenery magical.
 
This photo shows the hills and fields we saw as we got closer to Red Lodge.
 
 
This is a photo of the Beartooth Mountains. You can see the "bear's tooth" for which the mountains are named.
 
 
We were only able to drive a few miles south of Red Lodge on the Beartooth Highway, as it is closed all winter due to the high snowfalls. This photo does not show the winter snows, but you can see that when there is lots of snow, driving the switchbacks that climb the mountains would be impossible.
 
We had lunch at our favorite restaurant and did a little shopping, but it was taking in the beauty and majesty of God's creation with my best earthly friend that made it the specially day that it was. What a blessing the Lord gave to me so many years ago, and I know that we both are looking forward to many more years together.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(all pictures are from the web)
 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

A Kindergartener's Surprise for Her Parents


Five-year-old Claire was born to two deaf parents, and American Sign Language was her first language. So while 60 of her peers used generic hand motions during their Christmas concert, Claire chose to use ASL, much to her parents’ surprise.



This brought such wonderful memories back to me, as I grew up around deaf relatives
 and I loved reading their expressions as well as their signing.
Little Claire is just delightful, especially as she acts as a typical little girl with her expressions as the program gets longer. 
I hope you enjoy this video  as she surprises her parents and delights the audience!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ode to Joy

In lieu of the fact that my post-writing days are few,
you may have noticed I have been posting
little tidbits that come my way.
This is one of those posts,
and I think you will be blessed by it.
 
Ode to Joy
 

 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

November
 
A month of thankfulness ~
 
~ the joy of family get-togethers around the table
 
~ a cozy blanket with a good book and a beloved child
 
~ a warm fire with a cup of tea in the evening light
 
~ the last of the falling leaves and harvest of fields
 
~ the first of white snowflakes and the making of snowmen
 
~ woolen sweaters and mittens and rosy cheeks
 
~ the delightful smell of roast turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie
 
 most of all,
 
 my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
 
 
 
 
You may remember this beautiful song by Don Moen,
 
Give Thanks
written by Henry Smith
 
 
 
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us

And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us
And now let the weak say "I am strong",
Let the poor say "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord, has done for us
Give Thanks!
Give Thanks!
Give Thanks!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Who You Are


click arrows to enlarge
 
For my daughters, my granddaughter, my sister, my nieces, my aunt...
 
and for all of the women who are His daughters...
 
I pray you will be blessed.

(I forgot to say that a friend shared this on Facebook recently,
and I cannot find the source. If anyone knows the source,
please let me know so that I may credit it.
Thank you.)