The Invisible Woman

The "I Wills"

I will bless thee (Gen. 12:2).

I will not leave thee (Josh. 1:5).

I will heal thee (2 Ki. 20:5).

I will counsel thee (Ps. 32:8).

I will instruct thee (Ps. 32:8).

I will guide thee (Ps. 32:8).

I will deliver thee (Ps. 50:15).

I will help thee (Isa 4 1:10).

I will strengthen thee (Isa. 41:10).

I will uphold thee (Isa 4 1:10).

I will hold thine hand (Isa. 42.6).

I will not forget thee (Isa. 49:15).

I will comfort thee (Isa. 66:13).

I will pardon iniquities (Jer. 31:34).

I will restore health to thee (Jer. 30:17).

I will be your God (Ezek. 36:28).

I will put my Spirit within you (Ezek. 36:27).

I will save you (Ezek. 3 6:29).

I will love you (Jr. 14:21).

I will manifest myself (Jn. 14:21).

I will come again (Jr. 14:3).

I will sup with you (Rev. 3:20).

I will give thee a crown of life (Rev. 2:10).

Don't Come To Church

by Steve Ridgell

“Don’t come to church!” That is not something you will usually hear a
minister say, but sometimes it is true. I recently heard someone
talking about the troubles currently in their life and they mentioned
that maybe going to church would help. I am not sure it would. They are
looking for a “magic bullet” to make life better. That is not the
purpose of church. Attending worship services and being involved in a
church are outcomes of a decision to follow Jesus.

Jesus is the answer to the struggles of life. He is the one that heals,
restores, forgives, and gives meaning to life. He is where hope is
found. He is the way to God. He is the truth. He is life. When you turn
your life and heart to Jesus, then church makes sense. Church is one of
the outcomes of following Jesus. It is a gathering of family members
united by faith in the Son of God. It is where the community of
believers gathers to praise the God who loves them.

To hope going to church will help you is getting the cart before the
horse. Jesus is the first decision you must make. Maybe that is why so
many people misunderstand church. Church is not the answer. It cannot
save you. It is a fellowship, a community, a gathering, a family ... of
those who have been saved by Jesus.

So if you are expecting church to be the answer to your problems, don’t
come. You will be disappointed. But if you are looking for some good
news in your life ... let me tell you about Jesus. He is the answer.
Then, and only then, will church make sense.

So write steve at: steve@hopeforlife.org.
Or join their blog discussion at
www.hopeforlife.org.

Go to Jesus first.

Abracadabra

To me it’s a funky little incantation used by stage magicians and amateurs alike. I can’t seem to find a direct translation. Though I’m finding the word abracadabra dates back to pagan type stuff and medical spirits? My goodness too many Christian things have pagan strings.

Oh freaky fringe!

I’m just going to lay all that confusing stuff aside and go with the Hebrew word “Aberah KeDaber” which means I will create as I speak. That translation leads me on the Lords path which is the direction I intend to proceed. In my Scripture reading this week I camped on (Jeremiah 1:12) “Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it”. When did God put that in my Bible? I’ve been reading Jeremiah for years and I don’t recall that phraseology. “watching over My word to perform it”. This Bible reading stuff is amazing. You read along in the same book day after day, year after year…. You’d think it would get old huh? But no, it does not. This happens to me all the time something new and fresh jumps off the page and hugs me. I love the Word of God…. It’s living!
“God is watching over His word to perform it”.
God creates it, God watches over it, God performs it! Now that’s abracadabra!

Are there times when you look back that you wonder how you got through the most difficult circumstances? “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9)
Abracadabra “God is watching over His word to perform it”.

How about the times you were ready to quit, but didn't? “So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land”. Selah (Psalm 143:4-6)
Abracadabra “God is watching over His word to perform it”.

Have there been days, weeks, or months when you wondered if God was listening only to later realize not only was He listening He was orchestrating events and circumstances for your good? “… my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God”. (1 Corinthians 2:4, 5)
Abracadabra “God is watching over His word to perform it”.

A pearl to string: Who knew? Now you know!
"God watches over His Word to perform it."
All He is waiting for is for you to use the power that is in His word.
Are you faced with a challenge right now?
Your weapon of battle IS the Word of God . . . it has power . . . but only if you use it.

Abracadabra! Every day in God’s Word if you want the power
You are loved,
Lyndi

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

Caption under March Madness Photo

-- a team that wasn't even supposed to be playing basketball on Saturday night -- gave defending state champion Regis Jesuit a scare that had the Raiders' student section chanting "The Lord's Prayer" during crunch time.

OK, how many times do you read a caption like that? High School basketball, local paper -- town over one hundred thousand. I was pulling for the team that lost but what a caption - just thrilled my heart that students would chant the Lord's Prayer to help their team. Imagine in this day in age that students believe in prayer. Warms my heart.... gotta love thoes kids...congrats to all. Just could not resist sharing this.

Temporary Home

Jesus Through The Bible

In GENESIS, Jesus is the Ram at Abraham's altar
In EXODUS, He's the Passover Lamb
In LEVITICUS, He's the High Priest
In NUMBERS, He's the Cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night
In DEUTERONOMY, He's the City of our Refuge
In JOSHUA, He's the Scarlet Thread out by Rahab's window
In JUDGES, He is our King
In RUTH, He is our Kinsman Redeemer
In 1st and 2nd SAMUEL, He's our Trusted Prophet
In KINGS and CHRONICLES, He's our Reigning King
In EZRA, He is our Faithful Scribe
In NEHEMIAH, He's the Rebuilder of everything that is broken
In ESTHER, He is the Mordecai sitting faithful at the gate
In JOB, He's our Redeemer that ever liveth
In PSALMS, He is my Shepherd
In PROVERBS and ECCLESIASTES, He's our Wisdom
In the SONG OF SOLOMON, He's the Beautiful Bridegroom
In ISAIAH, He's the Suffering Servant
In JEREMIAH and LAMENTATIONS, it is Jesus that is the Weeping Prophet
In EZEKIEL, He's the Wonderful Four-Faced Man
In DANIEL, He is the Fourth Man in the midst of a fiery furnace
In HOSEA, He is my Love that is forever faithful
In JOEL, He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit
In AMOS, He's our Burden Bearer
In OBADIAH, He's our Savior
In JONAH, He is the Great Foreign Missionary
In MICAH, He is the Messenger with beautiful feet
In NAHUM, He is the Avenger
In HABAKKUK, He is the Watchman that is ever praying for revival
In ZEPHANIAH, He is the Lord mighty to save
In HAGGAI, He is the Restorer of our lost heritage
In ZECHARIAH, He is our Fountain
In MALACHI, He is the Son of Righteousness with healing in His wings
In MATTHEW, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God
In MARK, He's the Miracle Worker
In LUKE, He's the Son of Man
In JOHN, He is the door by which everyone of us must enter
In ACTS, He is the Shining Light that appears to Saul on the Damascus road
In ROMANS, He is our Justifier
In 1st CORINTHIANS, He is our Resurrection
In 2nd CORNITHIANS, He is our Sin Bearer
In GALATIANS, He redeems us from the law
In EPHESIANS, He is our Unsearchable Riches
In PHILIPPIANS, He supplies our every need
In COLOSSIANS, He's the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily
In 1st and 2nd THESSALONIANS, He is our Soon Coming King
In 1st and 2nd TIMOTHY, He is the Mediator between God and man
In TITUS, He is our Blessed Hope
In PHILEMON, He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother
In HEBREWS, He's the Blood of the everlasting covenant
In JAMES, it is the Lord that heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd PETER, He is the Chief Shepherd
In 1st, 2nd, and 3rd JOHN, it is Jesus who has the tenderness of love
In JUDE, He is the Lord coming with 10,000 saints
And in REVELATION, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

When Love Sings

Nicole Walters
Singing for Jesus









Someone long ago wrote of sitting by a fire and hearing love songs. The writer imagined the noises which came from the wood as it burned were imprisoned songs, finally brought to freedom by the flames. They reasoned the birds had sung while sitting on the branches of the tree. The wind had pushed its way through, making its own music. The rain had written a melody which sank deep into its roots. A child had played and sang in its shade. All these notes soaked into the wood, hidden away in the trunk. They were hidden away until the flames set them free one evening chilly enough to warrant an open fire.

The body of Christ is like that to me. God has given each one of us gifts to serve in His kingdom. Life can lock a song away until your heart breaks for someone else’s need and you are moved by the Holy Spirit to extraordinary actions as well as serving joyfully in the mundane and everything in between. We are a body made up of parts each valuable and glorious when God directed. Scripture tells me so. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

I thank God for the incredible people who serve in the trenches of life and on the front line. This world we live in is so blessed to have them working for God. They face extraordinary circumstances, persevere through great difficulty and suffer enormous personal loss. Oh yes there is personal joy for them too but they couldn’t do it without God – it’s way too hard and the cost is way too great. I have many friends who serve in the trenches and on the front line – our son Marc is serving in Haiti right now - it’s my awesome privilege to pray for them and encourage them and love them with everything God gave me along with praying for hundreds I don’t even know.

Have you ever seen one of those “trench serving” people sitting at a concert where Nicole Walters is singing? I am a witness to such a beautiful sight. Some years ago while attending a concert at Faith Church in Arvada I was mesmerized as I gazed over at a woman I knew was tired and nearly to the end of spent on hiatus from the mission field. As Nicole’s sassy, passionate angelic voice reached her ears her head leaned back, her eyes slowly closed and tears trickled softly down her cheeks. I watched as this precious woman’s body seemed to sigh with healing relief. My eyes kept wandering over to check on how this woman was doing throughout the concert. By the end of the concert the woman seemed animated, energized and refreshed. Seems like such a little thing….. but

A pearl to string: Nothing is little with God. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16) God uses our earth arms and songs to build each other up for glory in His love.

Know your worth to Jesus -
He loves you with His life,
Lyndi

Quilt of Holes

Out of Our Own Keeping

Earlier this week I came across a quote from Laura Ingalls Wilde: “Things and persons appear to us according to the light we throw upon them from our own minds. How unconsciously we judge others by the light that is within ourselves, condemning or approving them by our own conception of right and wrong, honor and dishonor! We show by our judgment just what the light within us is”.

Our own conception of right and wrong…….? Whoa, that brings light to my hindrance. Darn me! I’ve got all this stuff inside me that I think is right or wrong but if it doesn’t line up with God’s Word then….. really …… it’s worthless. It would behoove me to remember I don’t have to believe everything I think!

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ give yourself up to Him, [take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved". —Acts 16:31

This is what Paul and Silas told the Philippians jailer who asked them, "What must I do to be saved?" This is what salvation really means—giving ourselves up to God, taking ourselves out of our own keeping, and entrusting ourselves into His keeping. God wants to take care of us. He can do a much better job of that if we will avoid a problem called independence, which is really self-care.

The desire to take care of ourselves is based on fear. Basically, it stems from the idea that if we do it, we can be sure it will be done right. We are afraid of what might happen if we entrust ourselves totally to God and He doesn't "come through" for us. The root problem of independence is trusting ourselves more than we trust God.

String a pearl: We love to have a back-up plan. We may pray and ask God to get involved in our lives, but if He is the least bit slow in responding (at least, to our way of thinking), we are quick to take control back into our own hands. What we fail to realize is, God has a plan for us too—and His plan is much better than ours.

Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) Oh Lord, please help me take myself out of my own keeping.

Be in Sonshine and remember
You are loved,
Lyndi

ISRAEL, YESHUA IS YOUR MESSIAH!

10 profound minutes that can change your life for eternity
Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

The word for trust (take refuge) is chasah Strong number H2620. Doing a search of all its occurences shows clearly that is used exclusively for the Lord GOD of Israel, exceptions, Deu32:37, trust in idols, Jud9:15, trust in Abimelech, Isa30:2, trust in Egypt.

If God is asking to put our trust in His Son, it is because he is also God.

Bible verses from the Old Testament proving without any shadow of doubt that Jesus fulfilled all prophecies regarding the suffering of the Messiah by His death on the cross. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of Israel, He is God incarnated, mighty God.

The greatest thing about Grace

is that it makes life not fair.

THE KNOTS PRAYER

Dear God,

Please untie the knots
that are in my mind,
my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots,
the can nots and the do nots
that I have in my mind.

Erase the will nots,
may nots, and
might nots that find
a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots,
would nots and should nots
that obstruct my life.

And most of all, dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind
my heart and my life all of the am nots
that I have allowed to hold me back,
especially the thought
that I am not good enough.

Amen.

Envy - Wrecking

By Rhonda Rhea



Does the green eyed monster grab ya?
Psalm 37:8 (NLT) "Do not envy others--it only leads to harm."

Rhonda Rhea: I have a friend who looks good in absolutely everything she puts on. Argh! The girl could drape herself in the cover of her car and look classy enough for the fashion runway. If I draped myself in a car cover, I guarantee I would look more like a Buick. And I'll just go ahead and admit that I need to drop a few pounds off these fenders. My bumpers are a bit of a wreck, too.

Envy is such a dangerous thing. It throttles peace--and worse, it leads to anger, even rage. Psalm 37:8 says, "Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others--it only leads to harm." (NLT) The envious, angry person experiences painful harm personally. Proverbs 14:30 tells us that, "...envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones." (AMP) Our own personal rottenness. It can be a total life-wrecker but it's even more than just personal rottenness. That harmful, rotten disposition often spreads, spilling over onto family and friends.

How do we avoid bone-rotting envy and wrath? We replace them with love. 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy..." (NIV) Love is the opposite of envy.
Anytime we catch ourselves envying, we can ask God to love the person we envy through us. He loves to answer that prayer. As he gives us love for the ones we're tempted to envy, we discover that love, just as 1 Corinthians teaches, always wants the very best for others. Instead of envying, love rejoices in their victories!



Rejoicing in victory; that's the Jesus way. Yes, rejoicing in the victories of others ... even if those others have exceptionally sleek fenders.

A pearl to string: Rhonda Rhea is one of my favorite Christian authors. She brings home a point here that will bless you deeper and wider than you can imagine. If things are tough and you’re looking around you thinking everyone else has got it better…STOP! Come on! Look what the Lord has done in your life. Really! There are so many things for you to be thankful for. Are you reading this? Then start with your eyes and your education. Thank the Lord you can see with your eyes and you have learned to read. Turn your sorrow around do not let that green eyed monster grab ya. How you ask? Count your blessings!

Be in Sonshine
You are loved,
Lyndi

BLUEPRINT FOR LIFE

~ The I AM ~

I am the Lord, I change not.
Malachi 3:6a

That which hath been is now; and
that which is to be hath already been;
and God requireth that which is past.
Ecclesiastics 3:15

To enter the promised land,
find what pleases God and do that:
Deuteronomy 6:18.

Pay attention, listen for God,
then follow His instruction and
He will protect you and your children:
Deuteronomy 12:28.

When you make God the husband
you give your devotions to, God can use
your example to teach your children:
Isaiah 54:5, 13.

For your wife and children to be the blessing
you had hoped they would be,
return to Zion (Psalm 125:1)
and lay your hands on the word of God
to get guidance from Him:
Psalm 128:1-4.

To overcome indebtedness and
then to experience financial freedom,
take care of God's business and
let Him take care of yours:
Matthew 6:33.

For spiritual warfare, sing:
2 Chronicles 20:21.

For healing, share testimonies of how,
in your weakness,
God became your strength:
James 5:16.

Exhausted caretakers,
to remove sickness from around you,
make sure it is God that you are serving:
Exodus 23:25.

If you have problems walking,
follow God as He speaks to your heart,
that your steps are in alignment
with His desires for you.
Hebrews 12:13

If you want to experience
an End Time Holy Ghost Pentecostal Revival,
put God's true apostles in their rightful seats:
Acts 8:18.

To live longer, in the place of blessings,
honour your father (Isaiah 66:13)
and mother (Exodus 20:12):
Matthew 23:9.

Except the Lord build the house,
they labour in vain that build it:
except the Lord keep the city,
the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psalm121:7

KJV

Mouths of Christians

There are times I’d just love to drag my soap box out and stand on it.
So I’m gonna do it.














It bothers me that people suffer at the mouths of Christians. Hate and vicious accusations, condemnation and judgment all hurled in the name of God. LORD HAVE MERCY. What kind of a witness is that? A tune keeps humming through my brain, a line in a song: “and they’ll know we are Christians by our love….” Who can see that love? Not the ones that hold an opposing view to what some believe are biblical principles. Who did Jesus die for?

Out in the streets where emotions run high over moral issues of the present day people are beat up for their belief by Christians or people calling themselves Christians. It’s not people Christians are supposed to fight…. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) Not all people that believe in God hold the same opinions on every subject. A Christian’s weapon is love. God’s love.

Nobody wants to be smashed in the face with a Bible but everybody needs to know they matter. If you believe in Jesus and have invited Him into your life, you are a Christian. I did that more than 30 years ago and as long as I am on this earth I am a work of His in progress. I will never reach any type of perfection here on earth. My hope is in Jesus sacrificed life for my sin. It is in that Salvation that I will be able to spend eternity with God. My blueprint for life on earth is in the Word of God, the standard I live by. All other standards change with the wind.

A pearl to string: God’s word tells us about love in 1 Corinthians 13: “….....If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing……… faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

There are people who do not believe in God and maybe they never will. Interestingly it is God that gives them that choice.

We were created to be love
Be God’s arms today and hug someone for Jesus
Know you are loved,
Lyndi

I know Christians take a beating too but that’s another soap box……

Along the Way

Are you shouting your struggles to God? Want-Want!
Can’t find a job/hate my job, want-want!
Can’t find a life mate/don’t want this one, want-want!
My finances stink/check too small, want-want!
Can’t stand school/what future? want-want!
Sick of being sick/still breathing, want-want!
Angry? Depressed? Unhappy? Unfulfilled? Is that working for ya? Who is being blessed by you? Is God in there? There are times two emotions mix like vinegar and baking soda and the heart erupts like a volcano. Family, friends and co-workers never grow fond of being covered in emotional ash. The dog doesn’t like it either!

A young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?" The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice... the gentle whisper.

Beth Moore says: Without God on our side, where we’re going is just the ugly side of where we’ve been.

A pearl to string: Sometimes God wants to show us what we can do rather than let us find someone who can do it for us. I know now I was missing something along the way with my incessant shouting. God's whisper means I must stop my shouting and my want-want and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I find the answers I seek. Better still, I find myself closer to God.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 NASB)

In His love,
You are loved
Happy Valentine’s Day
Lyndi

Can’t Rent God

You can rent just about anything these days: A car, a home, clothing, all types of party merriment with a magician no less. You can rent a myriad of tools, scientific journals, a fine Horse Box …… a what? It’s designed to transport your horse or donkey in complete comfort with front and rear ramp for easy loading and unloading. Hmmm sounds perfect for the busy suburban Mom hauling kids all day long – wonder if they have seat belts or maybe it could carry granny on my electric scooter? Sorry just thinking out loud. You can even rent a fence. Yes you can! You can find them at construction sites. Originally in areas where Coyotes posed a danger to the workers rented fences were temporarily installed. Now it seems rented fences are needed to protect sites from construction poachers – a two legged predator. These fences are just leased for temporary protection and are sent on to a new site when the work is completed.

I’m sure there are things you can’t rent but one thing for sure: you can’t rent God.

You wouldn’t try to rent God would you? I mean you wouldn’t just pray when things don’t go the way you think best. Or live a self directed life then expect God to bail you out in times of crisis. There are times of crisis in all our lives, times of threat to our safety, our health, our income, and our relationships. If you just need God on a rental basis only I’d worry that in your most desperate prayers for help you might hear a booming voice out of the darkness ask: Who? Oh no …… that would not be good. I know I don’t want to hear that…. Talk about a nightmare! I want to walk with God in Sonshine along the quiet shores of life. I want to enjoy being with Him and learning to trust Him because I know Him…. I know His heart. I don’t want a temporary fence of protection around my life – I want an eternity with my Savior. God tells us in His Word (Hebrews 10:38), that faith is trusting God in everything- at all times. "And those whose faith has made them good in God's sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything.” It is not something we rent and use only for those difficult periods of our lives- God’s love was designed with a forever purpose in mind.

A pearl to string: I’ve got some great news for you. If you think your faith is weak read Mark 9:24 where God’s word tells us a weak faith can become a strong faith with the Lord’s help.

In Him we are made strong,
Know you are loved
Lyndi

The Legend of Two Wolves

There is an old Indian story that you have heard before. I share it as a reminder to guard against getting stuck in the quick sand of personal struggle and pain. When times of difficulty grip us it’s good to recognize that our misplaced self-focus can be dangerous and even disastrous.

The Legend of Two Wolves: One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil: It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good: It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith"

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

We have an insatiable human nature. So who are you feeding these days? Where do you allow your focus to dwell?

A pearl to string: If we have a heart for Jesus and an authentic desire to pursue godliness, lessons like these become protection as much as conviction.

The Message brings Romans 12:3 home to my heart as Paul speaks: “I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him”.

Better to lose count while naming your blessings
Than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles.
Maltbie D. Babcock

Let’s cast our focus away from that thing that will destroy us. The only thing God wants to withhold from us is havoc. “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32

You are in His smile
You are loved,
Lyndi

When Rhinoceros Fly

I really do not want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with blue wings.
Come on!
Cut that out!
Really!
I don’t want you to think about it anymore. Orange! Orange! Orange!

Have you ever touched a rhino? It feels like a hard orange. A very hard orange. Are you thinking about an orange rhino? Stop! Where is your self discipline? You’ve probably never heard of an orange rhinoceros! And certainly not a flying orange rhino with blue wings! So why are you thinking about it?

The point to all this silliness is simple: the more we try to not do something, the more we focus on it and ensure we do what we are not supposed to do. Ugg! Extremely annoying isn’t it. I appreciate the way Paul shares this struggle in Romans 7: “I do the things I don’t want to do but the things I want to do those I don’t do”. Our human nature gets the best of us just when we are trying our hardest. Most people don't make the same mistake twice. They make it three or four times or more.

A pearl to string: That's why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so important. He enables and empowers us to move beyond our sin -- not by focusing on it and refusing it on our own power or determination, but by enriching us and "distracting" us with the important things of God.

“Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature”. (Galatians 5:16)

Know you are loved,
Lyndi

The power of a Periwinkle....

By Butch Maltby

















It is our nature to scream through life scarcely aware of the miraculous provision right at our feet or up on the hill that seems so far away. Errant dreams, dashed hopes and tearful tomorrows conspire to wage an all out war against personal peace which seems illusive even on a good day.

The encyclopedia of God's creation has limitless examples of the loud and furious planet producing act when the Master of all things spoke and waters, sky, mountains and plain spouted up out of the nothingness of a brooding promise. And in between the front line creative acts which brought the house down tiny little miracles became the sinew for what we came to call "the world".

Snails. Plankton. Ants. Delicate flowers. Consider "Cathar Anthus Rojeus" or in our horticultural lexicon-- "the periwinkle".

A foot level flowering vine creeping quietly in the gardening beds of faith. Often as with other creation "runts of the litter" overlooked. With cosmic intensity the womb of the universe birthed it all with Jehovah as midwife and sire. Humans took center stage. Animals next. Flora and fauna made bows to the thunderous applause. And somewhere like rich crumbs falling from the King's table came mini miracles in time's seminal creative act. Like this common yet miraculous little flower. The periwinkle.

Thought to have been originally "planted" in ancient Madagascar this magic wand weaves properties both aesthetic and medicinal into a frequently hearty and often curiously fragile plant. Sometimes pale pink with a purple eye she is rough and delicate. Ubiquitous and solitary. Fast growing and stunted. A study in tension and contrasts. But when crushed this lioness yields alkaloid rich nectars used around the globe for the creeping diseases of life. Bleeding, blood pressure, cancer, infections-- all have tribal, native and modern treatments taken from the small veins of a beautiful flower after she is obliterated.

They die.

Others live.

And it struck me this eternal rhythm of living and dying especially to self is mirrored in the creation I take for granted. Your life teems with the turmoil of the unfolding covenant. The rocks, hills, plants and creatures offer spiritual sign language of our God and King's footprints on our sphere of wonder emblazoned with all the colors of the rainbow. New healing surprises greet us in a lush amazon, distant island, rocky crag or ocean floor.

And He whispers again through each solitary periwinkle. I made you. It was glorious.
You contain healing balms for a hurting world. Be crushed. The aroma and sap are life-giving elements in my hands. And others will be touched in their severe moments of agony if you are willing to die. God never wastes a moment. Or a miracle. But She leaves a missing puzzle piece to each reforming act.

That piece is you. Harvest the multicolored periwinkles in your garden. You are the steward of your own gift. Leave a few in a vase on your small kitchen table. Water them daily. As a reminder of who we serve. And what He alone gave. Then take your healing brokenness to your hurting world.

And watch God smile.
Butch Maltby

Truth, Love, and Endurance Dr. King and Christian Activism

"Breakpoint" by Chuck Colson

















January 18, 2010
As Americans observe Martin Luther King Day today, I am reminded of the rich Christian tradition of activism in this country. For millions of Christians who have gone before us, activism was considered fruit of the faith. Not only was the civil-rights movement led by evangelical Christians like Dr. King, so too were campaigns for abolition and women’s suffrage heavily influenced by Christians expressing their faith.
But for much of the 20th century, Christians—especially white evangelicals—shied away from activism. Part of the reason is that from about the 1920s to the 1970s, many evangelical Christians simply withdrew from the public square. Defeats in Prohibition and the discouraging results of the Scopes trial left many evangelicals disheartened. Soon the rich activist tradition was lost or divorced from true faith.
But in the African-American community, Christian principles and hopes prodded the rise of the civil-rights movement. It was not until the ’80s with the rise of the Moral Majority, that activism began to resurface among white evangelicals. Unfortunately, as Tim Stafford notes in his new book, Shaking the System, by then, “The very idea of Christians advocating for public causes created panic among secularists and dreams of utopia (a long-lost Christian America?) among true believers.”

This is why I like Stafford’s book so much: It draws from the rich history of Christian involvement to revive that lost knowledge of what it looks like to be a Christian activist.

True Christian activism, Stafford writes, always begins with the truth. “That means,” Stafford says, that “the true activist is a witness, anxious to pass on truth to others.” This is how the abolition movement began in the United States. About 30 years before the Civil War, the truth that slavery was a sin began to break through the consciousness of more and more Americans.

Soon all activists, however, learn that not everyone can handle truth. That is why a second thing that any Christian should know about engaging the world with a Christian worldview is to expect resistance. When truth collides with the status quo, Christian activists had better know where their ultimate hope lies
Christians must also have a strategy for shaking the system: from prayer to dialogue, from political involvement to pressure tactics such as boycotts and strikes.

But above all, like Dr. King, the activist must possess courage and an unyielding faith in the God of justice. Injustice does not loosen its grasp easily. We must be prepared for a long haul, drawing on the rich resources of community and that abiding hope and passion for truth. And we must avoid violence: in our rhetoric and our actions. As Martin Luther King reminded those who gathered at his home after it had been bombed, “Don’t get panicky. . . . I want you to love our enemies. Be good to them. This is what we must live by. We must meet hate with love.”

So if the life of an activist holds so much discouragement and risk, why get involved at all? Because a Christian understanding of the world compels us to combat injustice and promote truth. That is a thought worth reflecting on, especially on Martin Luther King Day—a man who exhibited those qualities.

This commentary by Chuck Colson originally aired January 21, 2008.

Pain Summons His Grace

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground ----it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.


A Pearl to String: For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer:

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Leaning into His love,
Lyndi

Be of Good Cheer

Some monks were running low on funds, but didn't want to close up their monastery. After much consideration, they decided to start selling the flowers they grew. Soon after opening up shop, business boomed, much to their delight. They had plenty of cash now for burlap and oatmeal and everything else good monks need.

Unfortunately, the town already HAD a flower shop. The disgruntled owner of the rival store tried everything -- having discount sales, spreading slander about the monks, and even poisoning the monks' flower beds. Unfortunately, they'd been blessed and nothing could stop their little business.

Finally, the rival shop owner sought out a man rumored to “fix things”: Hugh. No one knew his last name, just that he got the job done, no questions asked. After the appropriate amount of money had changed hands, Hugh went over to the friars' place, thoroughly beat them silly, and then destroyed their flower beds.

The next day, the monks promptly boarded up the windows and closed shop permanently, thus proving that Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars.

Did I hear a groan? Come on! A cheerful look brings joy to the heart… (Proverbs 15:30a) It’s a new year ….. Be of good cheer!

A pearl to string: To the paralytic man lying helpless on a bed, Jesus proclaimed, “Be of good cheer” (Matthew 9:2). To the frightened Apostles battling the tempestuous sea, Jesus appeared on the water, declaring, “Be of good cheer” (Matthew 14:27).

How does the Lord’s admonition of cheer sound when it is applied to you and me in our world today? When economic uncertainties, terrorist threats, and corruption provide top stories for the evening news where is the cheer? When we experience personal loss in so many ways and on so many days, what is left to be cheerful about? When Christ proclaims, “Be of good cheer,” He is not requesting a naive, Pollyanna-like response to life’s harsh twists and turns. Nor is He promising a pain-free life of constant happiness. The cheer Jesus speaks to comes from a deep trust in God’s unfolding purposes. “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

As the mother hen covers her chicks with her wings, so the Redeemer will surround us with His all-embracing power if we will come to Him (see Matthew 23:37).

There is room under those wings for all of us.
You are loved,
Lyndi

Marriage the Miracle Journey

Looking back to my eighteenth year of life when I first fell in love with my Coach Wonderful it is difficult to admit but I was dumber than a box of rocks when it came to love and relationships. I thought all there was to love was feeling it inside my heart. Once that happens a person should get married and live happily ever after. I know, I know, that’s enough to gag a rhinoceros but that was the extent of my wisdom back then. Imagine my surprise to the realities of life.

I had been in love for months and thought I’d been very patient through that protracted period of dating with no talk of marriage. The irresistible necessity to give hints welled up inside me. One night while ordering a meal at a Chinese restaurant as Coach Wonderful perused the menu, he casually asked me, "So. . . How do you like your rice? Boiled? Or fried?" Without missing a beat, I peered over my menu at him and replied pithily, "Thrown." Well that went right over his head! I found I had to be more explicit with my hints. “So, how many children would you like to have?” When he said four I knew it was a match made in heaven – I wanted four! I mean really what more does a person need to know? I loved him and he wanted four children the same as me! Oh, and by the way, the first time we held hands through an evening vespers service his hands didn’t sweat! I was a sucker for dry hands. There’s a really valuable measuring stick for marriage. Scary to think we started a life together based on little else. We needed a Savior!

After a whole year of dating we were wed on the 29th day of December 47 years ago in the sweet little village of Hartsdale, NY. Across from the canine cemetery (somehow that would be prophetic) stood a quaint old church where we participated in a miracle. It would be several decades before we would comprehend the size of the miracle needed to hold two people together, much less become one. Weddings are a dime a dozen. (That's just an old expression not the cost) I've got two brothers that have had seven weddings between them. So anyone can have a wedding but only God can create a marriage. In the early going the 'my way’ thing and being a ‘right’ fighter turns into the battle of the egotists and it's an I for an I. Through the struggles and the joys, the hurts and the healings, and the tug a wars and the victories we learned marriage prepares you to serve the Lord. You can’t grow a marriage without dieing to yourself and your ways nor can you serve the Lord.

Where God resides He provides and guides.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

A pearl to string and the secret to a long marriage: If you wait for a person, or an event or a provision you will grow weary and hopeless if it is a long process But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31, KJ)

If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence,
you can bet the water bill is higher.

Dying to yourself is like a God directed prescribed burn. It clears out the underbrush of self and improves the hungering and thirsting of your soul while strengthening temptation deliverance and seriously reducing the noxious weeds of daily life. It never gets easier to die to yourself and there always seems to be another deeper layer of pride in me that needs to die. I am amazed at what the Lord has done in our lives together. We are God's miracle. To pledge your life to another is indeed an act of faith that requires belief in miracles.


Happy Anniversary my love
Swinging on the vine of life,
Lyndi

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:5, NIV)

Destination Bethlehem - the journey to Christmas

Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened . . .
(Luke 2:15)

Traveling back in time and finding it’s not as pretty as it is in the movies or on Christmas cards.

Did you know that caves where shepherds kept their flock in winter are not clean? Whew, one whiff of that stench is enough to gag a rhinoceros. I’m a city girl, I like clean animals.

Mary, how did you do it?

The trip from the village of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea is about 65 miles. On a donkey? While you are in labor? Have mercy! The town of Bethlehem was bulging with people in for the big census taking. It was dreary, noisy – really rowdy – and sold out. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Luke 9:58) I can’t even imagine the feelings inside Joseph as every effort to find comfort for his wife and his any minute child failed. People were ugly and unsympathetic. At this point Mary was obviously in the latter stages of labor. Joseph was directed to the caves behind the Inn as a last resort. It was a long enough trek for the donkey – he headed straight for the manger for a drink of water right where our Savior would first lay His head.

(A manger in Bethlehem)

Of course Joseph would do everything possible to make Mary comfortable but what did he know about birthing babies – he was a carpenter. He distributed the hay and snatched a blanket from the donkey to create a somewhat clean place for Mary. She probably had a small bag of salt to rub on her new baby’s skin preventing infection, some yarn to tie off the umbilical cord, a piece of sharp slate to cut it, and strips of cloth to swaddle her baby in. She was only fourteen but God was her guide. Jesus probably looked quite ordinary to Mary & Joseph in that first extraordinary parent vision. Ten fingers, ten toes, a thatch of black hair, skinny little legs and arms and the wizened face of a newborn who had dwelt in water for nine long months. To them He was the most beautiful baby on earth. God gave them the ordinary human experience but the Shekinah glory came upon them as angels and shepherds appeared and wise men gathered bearing gifts.

A pearl to string: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:11-14)

A birth like no other – let your hearts be swaddled in His love for eternity.
Merry Christmas
Lyndi

Acts of Martha - Christmas Christmas

Oh it’s that time of year where the Martha work crescendo is about to culminate at the feet of Jesus. Move over Mary. Christmas is a beautiful Holy-day and it is jointly celebrated with a holiday for families by the same name but we don’t call it Christmas Christmas. Even Christians can get a little confused. The hustle bustle of the holiday part of Christmas is a love story gone askew. We get all bunched up trying to create a beautiful place to celebrate making sure there are gifts for all, and scrumptious food prepared for family and friends. There are parties to attend and cards to send to wish far away loved ones well. There are cookies to bake, lights to string, trees to trim, popcorn to pop, mistletoe to hang, and shop, shop, shop, wrap, wrap, wrap and smile, smile, smile. . Our hearts want to reach out to others with food, clothing, prayer, acts of kindness, love and we want to sing, sing, sing. The list of “to do’s” can sometimes seems endless.






Years ago when fresh 6’ Christmas trees were still $14.99 at Frank’s nursery in Ann Arbor, Michigan, we set out to choose the perfect tree. Young, though the family was, we had six very strong oppositional opinions eagerly expressing there views simultaneously. To the outside ear it may have appeared this family was argumentative. Ok, they were right. The lively dialog continued all the way home and until the tree was completely decorated. We all sat back to admire the work of art. I think God must have kicked the tree over. We watched in horror as the Christmas tree crashed to the ground and the pretty blue and gold ornaments smashed to smithereens while the strings of cranberries and pop-corn and glittery tinsel flew all over the room. The silence expressed our disgrace. Where did we loose Christmas? Coach Wonderful began to read Luke chapter 2. Listening to the Christmas story my heart grew heavy with sorrow for how I steered our family astray. God sent His Son into this world as a baby, dependent on human kind. To believe in Jesus is to take His love every where we go – for others to see His love in everything thing we do – Sometimes I get a busy momentum going and I go sideways from the Lord. Whenever that takes place Lord – PLEASE – kick over my tree. And Mary – move over I want to sit at Jesus feet and listen too.

A pearl to string: And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:8-14)

The tiny Baby in the manger is the mighty Creator of the universeHappy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas
Lyndi

Pretty Blue Sky

CONFABULATE. It’s a real word! It came in my email this morning for my word of the day. It means to chat, confer or fill in gaps in memory by fabrication. Hummm, I seem to do a lot of confabulating these days. It’s not done to be intentionally deceptive. It’s more like when I was a kid I had to do something with the holes in the picture I was drawing. I loved to fill those holes with pretty blue sky. So when I confabulate it’s just a little pretty blue sky for the holes in my memory.

It’s that time of year when my memory goes dancing. Christmas time is such a lovely, fun time of the year. The memories of yesteryear hold joy and plenty of blue sky. These days controversy swirls everywhere. Instead of singing we’re arguing, instead of giving we’re complaining, instead of honoring we’re dismantling - all in the name of diversity? Yikes, makes a body want to just go home, close the doors, keep the TV off, turn the phone off and pull out the boxes of stored Christmas decorations. I love to decorate our home when it’s cold outside – snowing is the best time. I light the logs in the fireplace, turn on the Christmas music and brew some cinnamon tea. Sipping and humming I ponder the wonder of how God trimmed our world with the sun and the moon and all the twinkling stars to light our way and bring us warmth and joy. All the shimmering lights that are strung around the houses, in the trees, on the boughs and intertwined in wreaths reflect His handiwork to me. God colored our world with four uniquely different seasons and all His creation reaches up to Him in praise with every branch and leaf turned towards the sun. How beautifully He ornamented our lives with animals to love and care for and people to figure out and be in relationships that reflect His character. It is in giving that we receive. Love is not a “feeling” – love is an action.

The Scriptures say, "God commanded light to shine in the dark." Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

A pearl to string: Love is our Father’s character and He gave each one of us a heart to hold Him and seek Him then sent us the Christ child to believe upon to keep us united with Him for all eternity. Now that is an action that I can celebrate. That’s no holiday – that’s Christ’s Mass – A celebration of God’s love, His communion with His people.

We are His, we came to sup with Him and be in His everlasting love,
Merry Christmas and pretty blue sky,
Lyndi

THE U IN JESUS

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can’t spell out JesUs and not include U..

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.

Nobody Remembered

David Langerfeld

"There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man." Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

Disaster was averted and lives were spared.
..."But nobody remembered that poor man."

Wise words of counsel were given and heeded and lives were blessed innumerably.
..."But nobody remembered that poor man."

Could sadder words be spoken? I think not.
..."But nobody remembered that poor man."

This time of year, we naturally think of giving more so than we do in any other season. But the best thing you can give this season - or any season - isn't for sale. It comes freely, but it only comes deliberately - and because you can't touch it, it can never wear out. It's called "appreciation."

This season, as you give, give your heart. As you share presents of possessions, also share presents of your heart to encourage the spirit of others - tell them of your appreciation for them.

A pearl to string: Remember that poor man - and all the people like him. All the people God has sent your way to steered you away from destruction, time and again, all your life. Bless them today by remembering them. Your appreciation of their lives may very well be the best gift you can give. So give it often….. for it costs you little and those who receive it will be wealthy indeed.

“How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” 1 Thessalonians 3:9

Your words of appreciation and encouragement have greatly enriched my life. We all need to know we make a difference somewhere. Turn around and hug another soul because YOU make a difference and you are hug-a-licious!

Safe in His love
Lyndi

Enjoy a peaceful moment with the Lord in the scenery and music.

Watch God

He who . . . changes deep darkness into morning, who also darkens day into night.
Amos 5:8

Looking out the window before dawn this morning I stared at the fresh fallen snow. It was as beautiful as a bride headed for church. Feeling the chill from the window pane I wrapped up and snuggled into a woolen blanket. Sipping on a steaming hot cup of coffee I gazed into the shadows of the unborn day while watching carefully as God “changed the deep darkness into morning.” It was as if the sun kissed the morning hello and all the earth blushed briefly with a pale orange thank you Father. Following an array of orangey pink hues the day shone bright and clear beneath a deep blue sky. I began to think how equally and incredibly beautiful it will be at the opposite end of this day as God “darkens day into night”. Can you imagine what it was like when God did this for the first time? His chill bumps must have been phenomenal as He watched it and said, “This is good.” God made two huge lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth—the larger one, the sun, to preside over the day and the smaller one, the moon, to preside through the night; he had also made the stars. And God set them in the sky to light the earth, and to preside over the day and night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God was pleased. Genesis 1:16–18 TLB

A pearl to string: Oh Lord how could anyone wonder if miracles still occur today? I guess most hearts picture the lame walking, the blind seeing yet to our wondering eyes each day has a ball of fire hanging in the sky, and another hanging ball that reflects the light of the big one, and billions of twinkling ones! Oh the splendor of Your creative touch. Each day is a miracle to rejoice in.
"The dawn and the sunset shout for joy". Psalm 65:8 TLB

May this Thanksgiving be a time you dwell on your blessings.
Taking time to reflect and know we are all
Safe in the depth of His creation,
Lyndi