Monday, March 8, 2010

August 28, 2009


Light

Light is an amazing gift from God. Even with the best of our scientific examination, we cannot fully understand it: particle, wave?

Light, the physicists believe. is eternal. All that education!

And we who believe in the Lord can smile.




Photo:Our back yard, Old Hickory, Tennessee, August 24, 2009.

August 27, 2009


No one else can stop you from being refreshed!

Only one more day of work for many of us, but you can take rest in the Lord! A quiet prayer, a moment of reflection, a praise & worship moment - better than any energy drink!




Photo:Cheatham County near Ashland City, Tennessee, August 10, 2009.

August 26, 2009

Great are the wonders and works of Your hands!
Each creature was created by God, and each creature was created through God's wisdom. Interesting thought; keep thinking about it....




Photo:Our back yard, Old Hickory, Tennessee, August 24, 2009

August 25, 2009


He has made me GLAD!


I do not think God created us to be dour and miserable. He wants us to enjoy the banquet He has prepared for us!

Imagine how the host at a wedding banquet would feel if his guests sat around and discussed how miserable, how sinful, and how unworthy they were to be eating the crab canapes?




Photo:Old Hickory Lake, Nashville, Tennessee, August 19, 2009.

August 24, 2009


We gather together....
It was never God's intention for us to live an individual life.

First of all, He made us male and female, a helpmate for each other. Then, as you look through the Bible, you see God constantly referring to the community. Not only is community encouraged, but often the community is held accountable for the actions of even a few. Sometimes whole communities were destroyed because they failed to care for each other.

In this country, we live in a community - and we need to be more aware and concerned for ALL of its members.




Photo:Centennial Park, Nashville, Tennessee, August 20, 2009.

August 21, 2009

Look full in His wonderful face!


I spent some time in a local park yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised to see that the flower garden was still very lush. Usually the heat of summer takes its toil, and by late August, Tennessee looks more brown than green.

But not so this year! With plenty of rain, the ground is actually soft instead of brick hard. This is a bloom from a Rose of Sharon bush, related to the Hibiscus. These blooms open up to the sun; at night they tighten up. During the day, when the evidence of the sun and of God's creation is so abundant, there is no need to hide yourself! There is far more to be thankful for than to be feared.

If you find yourself getting depressed, and being filled with anxiety, open yourself to the Son.




Photo:Centennial Park, Nashville, Tennessee, August 20, 2009.

August 20, 2009

Under the shelter of His wings!
I remember that I was very young when I learned about shade. It's one of those "lessons" we really do not need to be taught: in the heat of the day, it is always cooler in the shade. We know this almost instinctively.

The Lord provides shade and rest for us. Go to Him, take refuge in Him....The heat is still there, but under His care you find rest.




Photo:Percy Priest Lake, Smyrna, Tennessee, August 18, 2009.

August 19, 2009

Doesn't your heart long to do this?
It wasn't long ago that the we had a much different notion of rest. Often times, people would take themselves into the wildlands - away from the meetings, seminars, daily confrontations and phone calls - and simply "get away from it all."
Now for many of us it is expected that we be tethered to our work by our electronic devices. I hear the sound of cell phones on the golf course, on the river banks and from the passing boats as I sit waiting for a sunset. Is there a time when you really enter into your rest?
Is there a day - and if not a day, a half a day - that you can walk away from your "device", unplug yourself from the computer, leave your cell phone at home and simply...rest?



Photo:Percy Priest Lake, Smyrna, Tennessee, August 18, 2009.

August 18, 2009

Go Deeper....
This passage from the book of Daniel recounts the story of how a pagan king - King Nebuchadnezzar - came to know the Most High God. Two dreams, two interpertations, one reaching far into the future, one with direct and almost immediate consequences.

When I was younger, I read this in Sunday School, and we learned about How God protected His people. But somehow, I missed the deeper, more profound message of God's sovereignty Try reading Daniel chapters 2-4; good stuff!


Photo:Rural Tennessee, November21, 2004.

August 17, 2009

Mighty God!
Nebuchadnezzer was at one timethe powerful ruler of the most powerful country in the world. He was walking on his palace roof and exclaimed, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

From our position of being able to read the Bible, we know that this was probably a mistake - and we know that this began the process of fullfilling the prophesy of Daniel for the king.
But something else, other than the fulfillment of prophecy, happened. There was a change in the man, and it began when he lifted his eyes toward heaven. Nebuchadnezzer now knew who his Boss was!
"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."
What a mighty God we serve! AND He is the boss....



Photo:Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee, December 24, 2007.

August 14, 2009


Pleasant Places

This was taken on a trip to Indiana. The boundaries are very real; it was just happenstance that the clean edge of the bridge seemed to match with the horizon and the light from the setting sun.

This photo is filled with boundaries, some man-made, some of heavenly dimensions. When we follow the boundaries that God has set before us, good things happen.

Are your boundaries falling in pleasant places?


Photo: Ohio River from Louisville, KY, OCtober 3, 2004.

August 13, 2009


Back to school!


Summer is winding down - but while it lasts, the local lakes are filled with many young people getting some fun and sun.

There is one life lesson that is both hard to teach and to learn: choices made today can last a lifetime. Good or bad! Enjoy the treats of summer, but keep your heart lined up with God's!



Photo: Old Hickory Lake, TN, August11, 2009.

August 12, 2009


You are awesome in this place, mighty God!
It is indeed amazing that the Creator of the heavens and the earth would provide so much for us!

His love endures forever!




Photo: Old Hickory Lake, TN, August11, 2009.

August 11, 2009

Note from your Father
So many times, we yearn to hear from God. "Give me a word!" we cry.

But God doesn't ALWAYS give us words.

Take a look around you today. See that beam of sunlight breaking through the clouds? That child laughing in pleasure? The roses in your neighbor's yard?

Sometimes, words aren't needed. Sometimes, we need to let our HEARTS listen.



Photo: Our back yard, Old Hickory, TN, August10, 2009

August 10, 2009

What a wonderful world!
Most of us have "themes" in our lives. I keep returning to diversity: God, ruler of heaven and of earth, The great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, the one who, simply by speaking the words, brought everything into existence - you, me, the food we eat, the seas we sail upon, the air we dart through on our way to a well-deserved vacation or on business, this butterfly....

He created it all, and the question I keep having is why? Why not a black and white earth, with one variety of food source, one animal for man to rule over, and people who all looked the same and acted the same? It seems reasonable to me that God could have done that; it also seems reasonable that God - Who is all and through all - could have gotten along quite well with out ever making the Heavens and Earth.

We talk a lot about Judgement Day; what about the day that God choose to bring this world into existence? I don't know, nor can ever fathom, why He did. We do know that all we see all that delights us - yes, even all that befuddles us - and, of course, us - we were on His mind when He did.



Photo: Our back yard, Old Hickory, TN, August 8, 2009.

August 7, 2009

PRAISE
Woke up this morning with this song in my head - How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin
There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne


Photo: Columbia River Gorge, Washington, May 21, 2007.

August 6, 2009


Thinking Eternally
Lori here this time! :) Kenn's working on something for me, so I'm filling in today. :)

I had the pleasure of hearing Joshua MacLeod of Watermelon Ministries speak last night. The main thing I'm still ruminating on is this statement: An eternal person will NEVER be satisfied with a temporal thing.

I've tried so many different things to "satisfy" me. Things to distract me, to placate me, to make me happy for just a little while. But I'm coming to the conclusion, rather quickly, that I need to make a more ETERNAL difference. I want to make an eternal difference in people's lives. My prayer is that God will show me how to get out of my ME-oriented sphere, and make divine appointments. Will you join me?


Photo: Our back yard, Old Hickory, Tennessee, November 5, 2008.

August 5, 2009

Penetrating Light

I am always amazed at how a day so very dark and dreary can end in such a display of golden splendor!

As the Earth turns at sunset, the sun's rays have to penetrate much deeper into our atmosphere. This changes the quality of light, and we often end up with these intense colors. At least, that is what the textbooks say....

Imagine how you look to God and others as His love penetrates you! Have you ever met someone - and, even before they told you, you knew that you and the person shared something special, something unique, amazing, and unimaginable? The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in you is your strength and your joy.

Photo: Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee, March 21, 2009.

August 4, 2009


Worship, Dance, and Be Joyful!

And, from The Message Bible, verses 7-9:

We all arrive at your doorstep sooner
or later, loaded with guilt,
Our sins too much for us-
but you get rid of them once and for all.
Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest
at home in your place!
We expect our fill of good things
in your house, your heavenly manse.
All your salvation wonders
are on display in your trophy room.
Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer,
Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,
Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash,
of mobs in noisy riot-
Far and wide they'll come to a stop,
they'll stare in awe, in wonder.
Dawn and dusk take turns
calling, "Come and worship."
Oh, visit the earth,
ask her to join the dance!
Deck her out in spring showers,
fill the God-River with living water.
Paint the wheat fields golden.
Creation was made for this!
Drench the plowed fields,
soak the dirt clods
With rainfall as harrow and rake
bring her to blossom and fruit.
Snow-crown the peaks with splendor,
scatter rose petals down your paths,
All through the wild meadows, rose petals.
Set the hills to dancing,
Dress the canyon walls with live sheep,
a drape of flax across the valleys.
Let them shout, and shout, and shout!
Oh, oh, let them sing!


Photo:Early morning in central eastern Indiana, October 1, 2005.

August 2, 2009


J U M P !
The Joy of the Lord is our strength! Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit and can often best be seen in our youth.Often, out of a desire to bring our children up in a right and Godly manner, we mistakenly crush their joy, their spirits and their passion.

Jesus said, "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.'" I believe there is more theology in the joy of a child - more faith, and more of God - than in most of the theological pundits I have read.

When in doubt, become childlike. Take on joy, jump for joy -for the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Photo:Wedding rehearsal in Smyrna, TN, June 20, 2009

July 31, 2009


I AM FREE!

Like a butterfly set free from its cocoon, we are free! we are free to live a life without guilt and shame; we are free to express ourselves in love and joy - and it is that freedom that attracts and catches the attention of the world....

Photo:Our back yard, Old Hickory, TN, July 30, 2009.