The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. -Psalm 24:1
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Toad went to Frog’s house. He found a note on the door. The note said, “Dear Toad, I am not at home. I went out. I want to be alone. (“Alone” from Days with Frog and Toad) Being alone is not to be confused with being lonely. Being alone can be a rare pleasure; an oasis of thought and reflection, of beginning and ending sentences…or not to, if you so choose. To be alone is an art. It is sometimes a luxury. It is often-times a discipline. It is always truthful. No matter how many friends you have, or don’t have; regardless of length of time or depth of confidences, there is still the joy of being alone. I suppose that we are never truly alone because we are not our own. God relieves the lonely from the being alone; He is always near, always with us. I don’t know, but […]
Do you remember loving sno-cones as a kid? I’m not sure how shaved ice and fruity syrup could be so satisfying, but nothing said summer quite like a rainbow sno-cone. The boys had their first sno-cones this summer. Their eyes grew wide with every color added to each towering mound of ice. They loved it. They enjoyed every nibble and slurp. They flashed brightly hued tongues at each other. They were kids being kids. The Preacher and I had one too, and found ourselves to be adults being kids as well. And, you know what I enjoyed most about that moment? The fact that something so simple could be so refreshing. It’s not rocket-science: sweet + icy cold = relief on a hot day. So, when I am parched and weary in the life’s journey, should I be surprised that my thirsty soul is revived through living water? That a hunger […]
I say I’m blessed, and am full of thankfulness. But sometimes I don’t act like it. Or speak like it. I need to be reminded regularly, to cultivate gratitude, that I might guard my heart from self-righteous grumblings and the sinful root of discontentment. I can truly say that I’m grateful for a husband who cares enough to send me the following…which I share with you with humility and love: Gratitude arises from a contemplation of the goodness of God. It is bred by serious meditation on what God has done for us… Gratitude and thanksgiving forever stand opposed to all murmurings at God’s dealings with us, and all complaining at our lot. Gratitude and murmuring never abide in the same heart at the same time. An unappreciative spirit has no standing beside gratitude and praise. And true prayer corrects complaining and promotes gratitude and thanksgiving. Dissatisfaction at one’s lot, […]
With carols sung, the trees been taken down We’ve passed a dram and the bells no longer sound Snowdrops rise with promise of the spring There’s talk and wonder At what the year might bring The blackbird starts to thicken up her nest While the early lamb, he takes a snowy step But the north wind’s grip it tightens with his chill And holds the buds closed against their will So we’ll stoke the fire and light the lamp Turn our backs in from the damp Settle down beneath the starry sky Endure the winter passing by -Lyrics by Emily Smith “Winter Song” Listen to it: Emily Smith – Winter Song
This is the time of year you hear comments like these: “I’m going to cut out all sugar starting January 1.” “I sure didn’t do so good with my workout plan last year, but I’m starting the gym the first of the year.” “I totally failed in my Read-through-the-Bible-in-a-Year plan. I always get stuck in Numbers.” I’m being honest. I am no optimist. I have always professed to be anti-goal making, or more aptly, resolution-phobic. Yet, recent years of learning to preach to my own heart has revealed that what appears to be perfectionism and a fear of failing is really pride and self-sufficiency. I don’t want to set goals because I don’t want to either beat myself up to succeed, or to stress myself out when, in my own strength, I cannot find the consistency to accomplish what I set out to do. And, so….for many years, there you’d […]
A Psalm of Ruth Lord, I have laid out my desires before you. Nothing of my heart has been hidden from my creator. I have pleaded with you day and night, year after year That we may taste the joyous fruit of a little doe That our home would be filled with the sound of a girl’s song That four young men would grow up protecting a sweet sister. But your answer to your servant is like a winter’s snow: Still, silent, and beautiful, but bitter to my bones. Your purposes are not yet known to my heart and your ways are a mystery I cry out to you for comfort and for assurance in this death of a dream Yet You, O God, are sovereign and holy You are ever enthroned upon my weary heart For You are worthy Who can count Your mercies and Your loving ways? Your […]
I like the idea of walking to the local farmer’s market, where one buys just what is needed for the next meal. What’s fresh is what’s provided; what’s provided, is what’s to be enjoyed. To buy a fresh loaf to go with supper… …tasting, then picking the juiciest heirloom tomatoes for a quick insalata caprese… …choosing the perfect bunch of golden zinnias to brighten the dinner table… …and fresh roasted green chiles that taste good on… ….EVERYTHING… …(shame this is an unscented post–there’s nothing like the aroma of roasted green chiles)… …and were one to happen upon a farmer’s market by chance… …the utter beauty of God’s bounty is enough… …to make one stop and consider how simple and faithful are the daily provisions of the Lord. Just what is hand-picked, just what is needed, just what is to be enjoyed by His children.
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