Monday, March 27, 2017

Mighty and Powerful is Your name.

 Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.  


Nowhere have I experienced the power of mother nature like I have while visiting the Lower Falls in The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  We hiked about a quarter mile down switchbacks to the very top of the falls where the spray from the 300 foot drop hung in the air.  It was powerful.  

God's power is beyond my comprehension.  The beauty and majesty of His creation on this earth is beyond my comprehension.  The miracle of birth, and of love, and of forgiveness is something that only can come from God.  But "beyond my comprehension" is just another way of describing faith.  I may not understand the how or why, but I know it to be true.  

"The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."    Hebrews 11:1

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Texas Bluebonnets


Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.


If you live in Texas, you know about our Bluebonnets.   They bloom every year right around the time of my birthday!  Sometimes I feel like it's God's little gift, just for me!   It's a sure sign that Winter is gone and Spring has officially arrived!   

The seasons will always come and go... but His word will stand forever.  One of my favorite things about going to Bible Study and studying His word in detail is the timeless-ness of the Bible.  The Old Testament stories are still so relevant in the 21st Century.  The New Testament lessons today, 2000 years after being written, are words to live by.  

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 
John 13 - 34-35

It's just as simple as that.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Happy first day of Spring!!


Psalm 104:12

The birds of the sky nest by the waters: They sing among the branches.


Today is the first day of Spring... and I love Spring!  
I love the new-ness of it all. New growth, the days are warmer and the birds are singing!  Over the years, I've observed over 30 different kinds of birds in my yard, but I think my favorite is the cardinal.  

the cardinalexperience.com tells us:
"The cardinal has such a Christian significance, that even the high priests of the catholic church are given that name.  The cardinal is symbolic of the living blood of Christ.  As well as the symbol of vitality, and in the Christian contest, that vitality is everlasting.... "By His blood we are freed from sin to serve the living God, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever."  Ephesians 1:7"

"Traditionally, the cardinal is symbolic of life, hope and restoration.  These symbols connect cardinal birds to our living faith, and so they come to remind us, that though circumstances might look bleak, dark and despairing, there is always "hope."

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

"I am the light of the world"



John 8:12

"I am the light of the world.  
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, 
but will have the light of life."  




Lighthouses have been around for thousands of years.
One of the most famous, the Lighthouse of Alexander was built in 280 BC in Egypt, and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.   By definition a lighthouse is "a tower or building that puts out a beam of light to help ships and boats navigate, to mark coastlines and hazardous spots and the entryway into safe harbor."   

Isn't God a lot like that?   

He shines the light for us, to guide us through our lives, helping us to navigate those difficult spots.  This doesn't mean we won't run aground now and then, but He is always there with open arms and available to help us find our way back.  

It's up to us to choose if we want to follow His Light. 



Sunday, March 12, 2017

This Old House



2 Corinthians 4:16

Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace.








Happy Birthday to Lisa!  
My sweet friend of over 40 years asked me to do this sketch for her.  She's from New Orleans and loves the old historic homes found there.   I think as birthdays come and go we start to feel a little bit like this old house.   Our paint may be faded and worn, we may have a shutter barely hanging on it's hinges.  Even our landscaping is a bit overgrown and our floorboards creak!
    
But we still rejoice with each new day because 
in Christ we are brand new and His unfailing grace greets us with hope and promise.   

Monday, March 6, 2017

"Follow Me"


Luke 5:11

Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people."  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.




"Twelve Ordinary Men" by John MacArthur is a favorite book of mine about the call and ministry of Jesus' apostles.  Twelve regular guys, people like you and me, from various walks of life, chosen to carry on the name of Jesus Christ.  Not the richest or the smartest men in their community, and not the ones with celebrity status or best known... just twelve guys who believed in Christ and were willing to walk away from their livelihoods, and their families to be His hands and His feet going forward.  

So I must ask myself... I'm just an average person, leading a pretty ordinary life...
What am I doing to advance His Kingdom?