Sunday, November 27, 2011

In All Things

PB061747
As we pause to thank Him for the blessings of the past year,
we must not forget to thank Him for the lessons
we have learned through our difficult times.
We are not to be thankful for just the pleasant,
easy things, but all things.
Millie Stamm

Monday, November 21, 2011

Autumn Leaves

A few days ago we were blessed when our youngest grandson, four-year-old Mr. H. came to visit. The agenda for the day included raking leaves. It was a big job and my sweetheart was happy to have help.
PB111834_thumb18Mr. H. borrowed my sweatshirt. A pair of little garden gloves and a small rake (that matched the sweatshirt!) completed his outfit and he was ready to get to work.PB111828_thumb15He worked hard and was determined to help Papa deal with all the leaves.PB111851_thumb13Finally, most of the leaves were piled high.PB111871_thumb23The hard work was worth it – it was time to jump into the big pile of leaves.PB111872_thumb9
What fun! There was a lot of laughter and so many smiles! We loved having time with him and we can’t wait until he comes back again. More leaves have fallen and the yard is filled with leaves again. We will take care of them – but it just won’t be the same without his help.PB111854_thumb13[4]

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Work Can Be Worship

Angelus
‘Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus our Lord.’  Colossians 3:37

Have you seen the painting The Angelus by Jean-Francois Millet?  It portrays two peasants praying in their field.  A church steeple sits on the horizon, and a light falls from Heaven.  The rays do not fall on the church, however.  They don’t fall on the bowed heads of the man and woman.  The rays of the sun fall on the wheelbarrow and the pitchfork at the couple’s feet.

God’s eyes fall on the work of our hands.  Our Wednesdays matter to Him as much as our Sundays.  He blurs the secular and sacred.  One stay-at-home mom keeps this sign over her kitchen sink: ‘Divine tasks performed here daily.’  An executive hung this plaque in her office: ‘My desk is my altar.’  Both are correct.  With God, our work matters as much as our worship.  Indeed, work can be worship.

from ‘Cure For The Common Life’
written by Max Lucado

Friday, November 18, 2011

The Heart Of The Matter

PB111822
This morning I sat beside my dear, little mother as pictures of the inner workings of her heart were displayed on a screen nearby.  I quietly watched in amazement as I saw the chambers and valves of her little heart pump blood through her tiny body.  I saw inside the heart that has kept her going for more than eighty-eight years, far longer than her doctors ever thought possible. While I didn’t understand most of what I saw I sat there in awe!  Overwhelmed and full of praise as a favorite Scripture ran through my mind.
‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.’
Psalm 139:14
Technology can’t possibly show the ‘real’ heart of my dear mother.  Her ‘real’ heart loves big and gives much. Her ‘real’ heart is bigger than this little lady herself.  Her ‘real’ heart loves God more than life itself.  Her ‘real’ heart loved me long before the first moment she first saw me.  Her ‘real’ heart keeps loving me no matter what.

Today I saw my mother’s heart at work.  And I saw her heart working over and over again as we sat together over lunch.  I saw her heart each time she smiled and when she spoke.  Today I had a privilege few people ever have – I saw the heart of a little lady – a lady who has a very big heart.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Winds Of Change

PB111808I’ve been absent from blogging for a bit.  Life has taken me many directions – sometimes several at the same time.PB111807Autumn winds have blown and most of the leaves on our big tree are gone now.  There is a chill in the air and snow has begun to cover the mountains.  PB111810Change has come to our family, too.  A few weeks ago my sweetheart’s company cut the hours of their employees. While we are adjusting to the changes that decision brings, we are happy that he still has a job.  This means my sweetheart has an extra day off work now – a three-day weekend. And it means we have a chance to do a bit of catch-up on things left undone far too long.PB111812My dear, little mother’s health has changed during the last few weeks.  Her heart is slowing down and changes need to be made in her daily life.  We are exploring options for her living arrangements and continued well-being.  Tomorrow morning I will take her for further tests to see how her heart is functioning. Your prayers are appreciated.PB111819During times of change we are confident that God is with us.  He said He will never leave us or forsake us.  Whatever happens, we are confident we won’t face the future alone.  We know Who holds the future – and we know Who holds our hand.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

He Giveth More Grace

PB061745
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength ere the labors increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving has only begun.

His love has no limit,
His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundaries known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.



Poem: ‘He Giveth More Grace’
Written by Annie Johnson Flint

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Faithfulness And Truth

P8200595
O Lord, You are my God;
I will exalt You, I will praise Your name,
For You have done wonderful things,
even purposes planned of old
and fulfilled in faithfulness and truth.
Isaiah 25:1

Scripture:  Amplified Bible