A Word And A Verse

My word for two thousand fourteen:


My verse for the new year:

Karl Barth said it well, ‘Joy is the simplest form of gratitude’.  So, I choose to walk the path of life this year with joy – and a grateful heart.

Reflections

Four weeks ago I stood here, watching the fog surround the headlands.  That day I knew that soon I would visit a dear friend of mine – probably for the last time here on earth.  This morning I stood in the same place again, watching the sunshine chase the fog away.  This time I am here to play for her memorial service.  I think I understand more about the moment she left the ‘fog’ of this life – when the sunshine of her Savior chased away the haze of this world and she stepped into the light of the Son.  Forever!

No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

Song: ‘No More Night’
Words and music by Walt Harrah

Wishful Thinking

Thinking and dreaming and planning for summer – and a chance to get away with my little cabin-on-wheels.

It’s never too soon to plan, is it?

Just wondering!

Gratefully,
~Adrienne~

The Light

My home is quiet today in comparison to the past weeks of activity. Reflections of the lights and decorations of the season and of times spent with those dear to my heart keep flooding my mind but I come back often to think of the One whose birth we celebrate. Returning home after a brief time of Communion at church this morning my thoughts turn again to who Jesus really is. He is more than the baby in the manger – He is more than a story – He is more than a good man! He came to a dark world – and He was the light. He didn’t bring the light. He WAS the Light! His light has remained constant and strong through the centuries. It will never fade or go out!

An old gospel song begins to resound in my heart and find it’s way to my lips – The Light of the World is Jesus.

The whole world was lost
In the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday,
His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus!

No darkness have we
Who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light
When we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Ye dwellers in darkness
With sin blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash, at His bidding,
And light will arise.
The Light of the world is Jesus!

No need of the sunlight
In Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light
In the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Song: ‘The Light of the World is Jesus’
Words and music by: Phillip P. Bliss

Dreams of Spring

‘No winter lasts forever;
no spring skips its turn.’
- Hal Borland -

Quiet Strength

My words:

Need quiet heart and spirit
many thoughts
ministry decisions to make
change needed
much need for prayer and direction

HIS words:

In quietness and in confidence
shall be your strength
Isaiah 30:15

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
Blest assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea He speaks peace to me,
And the billows cease to roll.

Scripture from King James Version
’Blessed Quietness’ written by Manie P. Ferguson

A New Year’s Prayer

Dear Father,

God of our yesterdays,
our today,
and our tomorrows.

Thank You for the year behind us
and for the year ahead.

Help us in the new year
to fret less and laugh more.

To teach our children to laugh
by laughing with them.

To teach others to love by loving them.

Knowing, when You came to the stable
in Bethlehem, You came for us

So that You could be with us,
and we could know You.
and share You with others.

Help us to see You in every sunrise,
in the beauty of the flowers all around us,
in the stories of our old folks,
and the fantasies of our children.

Help us to stop and listen to Your voice
so we may know You more and more.

Thank You for another new year
and for new mercies every morning.

Fill us with peace,
and love, and hope,
that we might spread them to others.

We leave the past in your hands,
and step out into the unknown new year
knowing You will go with us.

We accept this new year as a gift from You
and we rejoice in what's ahead,
depending on You to help us
do exactly what You want us to do.

Because of You our hearts are filled with joy!

In Jesus name,
Amen.

adapted from unknown

Quiet and Waiting

Let all that I am
wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in Him.
Psalm 62:5

We are in the way both of duty and comfort, when our souls wait upon God; when we cheerfully give up ourselves, and all our affairs, to his will and wisdom; when we leave ourselves to all the ways of his providence, and patiently expect the event, with full satisfaction in his goodness. – Matthew Henry

artwork: ‘Stillness’
artist: Erin Clark

The Best Things

The best things are nearest: breath
in your nostrils, light in your eyes,
flowers at your feet, duties at your
hand, the path of Right just before
you. Do not grasp at the stars,
but do life’s plain common work as
it comes, certain that daily duties
and daily bread are the sweetest
things in life.

From ‘Whispers Of Blessing:
Daily Encouragement For Women’
published by Barbour
Artwork: ‘Laundry Day’
Kay Shannon, artist
available at art.com

Winner

Lord

How did it happen

That You chose me

To belong to You?

Whatever the reason

One thing is certain:

I won.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. John 15:16

From "The One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin"
Photo by Nancy Garbarini, compliments of Allposter.com

It Won't Rain Always

Today we gathered to celebrate the life of our dear son-in-law and to say our goodbyes. Family and friends came from far and near to remember him and give support to our sweet daughter and her children, his family and my sweetheart and I. There were smiles as we reminisced, tears shed as we tried to understand and imagine life without him and lots of hugs given in love. It was one of many difficult days - just the beginning of many more, I know. The road ahead has taken turns we could not have anticipated. At times it seems impossible. But I love the special way God sends beauty to remind us that there is reason to go on. 'God's glad surprises' my dear little mother calls them. Today He did it again as we drove home in thoughtful silence. After heavy rain storms the sky was painted with blue and gray and pink and white painting a picture of hope - and confirmation that there will be brighter days ahead. And then the words of a special song that has given comfort in the past gently came to mind.

Someone said that in each life

Some rain is bound to fall

And each one sheds his share of tears

And trouble troubles us all

But the hurt can't hurt forever

And the tears are sure to dry

And it won't rain always

The clouds will soon be gone

The sun that they've been hiding

Has been there all along

And it won't rain always

God's promises are true

The sun's gonna shine

In His own good time

And He will see you through

Song: 'It Won't Rain Always'
Words by Gloria Gaither
Music by Bill Gaither and Aaron Wilburn

Called By Name

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

The shepherd knows his sheep. He calls them by name.

When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. . . We see people, not persons, but people. A herd of humans. A flock of faces. That's what we see.

But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every face is different. Every face is a story. Every face is a child. Every child has a name. . .

The shepherd knows his sheep. He knows each one by name. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And He will never forget it.

I, the LORD, created you. . .
Don't be afraid.
I have rescued you.
I have called you by name;
Now you belong to me.

Isaiah 43:1

From 'When God Whispers Your Name'
Written by Max Lucado

Photo: 'Shepherd Leading Flock of Sheep'

Photographer: Wayne Walton

compliments of allposter.com

Providing For My Needs

My God shall supply all your need

according to His riches in glory.

Philippians 4:19

How thankful I am, Lord, that I don't have to depend only on my own resources to provide for my needs. My happiness isn't dependent on earthly treasures. Instead, You know very well what I need.

When I do the best I can to make ends meet, I remember I belong to You and You will help me. As I trust in You and share my tithes with You, I will not lack in what You know I need. Thank You for not withholding the good things from me as I follow along Your paths of righteousness. I trust in You.

When I'm tempted to toss and turn because of financial worries, I can cast my cares on You and thank You already for the answers to come. Then as I trust in You, I have a peace greater than anyone can comprehend.

Have You counted the hairs on my head? (I must keep You busy when I tear my hair out from worry. Forgive my distrust, Lord.) Do You really know each time a sparrow falls? How valued am I? Certainly more than a bird, yet they are important, too.

Each time I work to make the money stretch, remind me, Lord, to come to You with even the small needs. I know You care about those, too. I praise You for each blessing and miracle You give.

from 'When I'm Praising God'

by Anita Corrine Donihue

photo: art.com

Quiet Thoughts

There are two means of refuge

from the miseries of life:

music and cats.

- Albert Schweitzer