New Growth

 

I went down to the grove of nut trees to look at the new growth in the valley, to see if the vines had budded or the pomegranates were in bloom. ~Song of Solomon 6:11

Spring is synonymous with new growth.  It is, for many of us, most evident in the reemergence of flowers and in leaf buds that slowly unfurl to reveal their green-gold hues.  The earth, stirred from its long winter's nap, renews and regenerates herself gloriously under the warmth of the sun and gentle, refreshing rains.

Where we live here in Georgia, the time for daffodils and azaleas has come and gone.  We are well on our way to the oppressively hot summer months where heat and humidity reign and the air conditioner is king.

But still, though it might not be as attention-grabbing as the flowers, there is new growth to observe.

How I love seeing the bright green tips on the darker green of our hemlock!  It tells us that our tree is healthy and growing, albeit at a slower pace than others.  In my book, that's what makes it even more special than it already is.  I see these "baby" needles, and I'm instantly transported back to March and April when every leafing tree sports that identical color.

There is yet another type of growth here in our forested yard, one that has proliferated by leaps and bounds over the past several springs, and that is our fern population.  Every season we are delighted to see them faithfully multiplying.

We are both so thankful to be surrounded by such serene and subtle beauty right here in our own backyard.  New growth reminds us, too, that no matter how far up there we are in years, we are never too old to be used by God for His purposes and for His glory.

When we are grafted onto the life-giving vine of Jesus, no matter what our age, we can and will experience new growth to inspire others and lead them to His saving grace.

Amen!

At Sunset

 

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. ~Luke 4:40

We have an apartment complex behind our home.  In winter, when the trees are bare, its intrusive presence is a lot more obvious than it is in the spring and summer months.  As these trees have grown and matured, their leafy curtains obscure much of the apartment buildings and, to a disappointing degree, the sky as well.  Time was when we could view fireworks on July 4th from our back deck, but those days are long gone.

The other perk we miss out on is watching the sunset.  We can certainly see the light diminish and fade, but it's rarely an eye-popping scene at any time of the year.  However, in early April, we are treated to the show of a lifetime.  God's infinite palate of colors spill over the horizon with unrivaled majesty and grandeur.

WOW!  God's handiwork leaves us amazed, astonished and overwhelmed with gratitude for the beauty He has lavished upon this little corner of the world we call home.  What a glorious ending to a perfect spring day!

And I can't help but wonder.

Was the sunset as breathtaking as the one we witness when people were flocking to Jesus to be healed?  And if so, would anyone even notice?  After all, Jesus is the center of attention in the moment, and eyes and hopes are focused on Him.  He heals, He cures, He drives out demons.  What could be more miraculous, more spectacular than that?

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Amen!

Nothing is Impossible with God

 

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God." ~Luke 18:27

Pictured here is the book I'm currently reading and loving.  Shannon Bream is an excellent writer and a devout Christian.  She works for Fox News and anchors the popular program Fox News Sunday.  I intend to ask Danny for this book as a birthday present until I realize at the time that it's only available for pre-order.  Because I know how much he likes having gifts in hand by my birthday, I decide instead to ask for two different ones.

The day this book does become available, however, I casually mention it to Danny in conversation adding that it is one I would have asked for if it had been ready in time for my birthday.

Without hesitation, Danny says, "Let me order it for you now."

What a generous guy!  Yes, folks, I'm a most fortunate woman, and I'll always be the first to tell anyone who will listen.

So, imagine my surprise when this book arrives from Amazon instead.

Same title, different author!  Maybe, Danny doesn't hear the Shannon Bream portion of my request and simply orders the first book that pops up on his screen.  As you can tell my the header photo, he more than makes up for his error.

But the more I think about it, the less I believe that Danny made a mistake.  I find the biography of Rose Marie Miller on the back cover to be both inviting and intriguing.  Her pastor husband, Jack, and she planted the New Life Presbyterian Churches and began World Harvest Mission, now known as Serge.  She spent her entire life serving others in the name of Jesus.  Rose Marie passed away in March of this year at the ripe old age of 101!  I love what the publisher says about this book:

Rose Marie Miller weaves together biblical insights and personal experience and shares a new, gospel-driven way of living where the way up is down, the weak become strong, and the dead receive life.  God, for whom nothing is impossible, uses weak people to change the world - and that includes you!

I never would have asked for this book because I wouldn't have known how.  But God knows our needs before we ask.  I truly believe He worked through Danny's "mistake" to give me the perfect compliment to Shannon's amazing book where she, too, focuses on imperfect, "weak" people in the Bible who do great things because God is with them.

God is, was and always will be, the God of the impossible!

Amen!

Roots Take Hold

 

"Consider how the wild flowers grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." ~Luke 12:27

I spring forth unexpected

A wanton, lowly weed

Adorned in yellow bright

Not the shade of cowardice

But of sunny survival

I bloom where I'm planted

And thrive against the odds

For I'm content to call home

Wherever God intends

For my roots to take hold

And when I go to seed

I am grateful still.

Amen!

Thank you, Regina, for your reminder that April is National Poetry Month.  I simply had to join in the celebration before this month's end.

A Tree Planted by the Water

 

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. ~Jeremiah 17:8

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the springtime saying:  April showers bring May flowers.  Most of the time, that adage holds true for us here in northwestern Georgia.  But not this year.  We are, for all intents and purposes, in a drought.  Oh, sure, we might get a sprinkling of rain here and there as we leave April and enter into May, but when you have a lawn which mostly consists of moss, we have to take extra precautions if we want it to live and thrive through the hot summer months.

Danny makes elaborate plans to keep our moss hydrated and healthy while we wait and pray for rain.  He already has two sprinklers, but needs more for this job; he orders a couple of them along with additional hoses.  Since we only have two outdoor faucets, Danny also buys splitters so that two hoses can be attached to the same spigot.  His best strategic move, in my opinion, is to purchase timers that tell each hose when to release the water to the correct sprinkler, and for how long.  Ingenious!

Do they work?  Of course!

When you look closely at this photo, you can see a rainbow!

Even in our shady yard, moss can't survive intense heat and lack of moisture as its root system is both shallow and fragile.  Just seeing it transform to a lush green after a good soaking brings us such joy.

The same is true for us spiritually.  If we don't make the concerted effort to spend time in God's Word drinking deeply of its sustenance, we, too, can become dry and parched in our faith.  I've always loved the image of the tree planted by the water as described by the prophet, Jeremiah.  In my mind's eye, I envision a willow tree, its boughs cascading leaves of green, its roots black with moisture.  So verdant!  So lush!

And isn't that the way our faith in the Lord should be?  Filled to the brim with the abundant life that Jesus promises to all who believe in Him?

May we all resolve to plant our roots deeply into the Living Water.  Jesus is the well that never runs dry.

Amen!

Leaving a Legacy - Part II

 

But they need not account for the money entrusted to them, because they are honest in their dealings. ~2 Kings 22:7

Several weeks ago, I share Danny's massive undertaking of cleaning out old photo albums and reorganizing the pictures in stackable containers which he labels neatly for future reference.  There are two albums, one made by Danny and the other by his father, documenting his post-high school immersion into the music world.  For those of us who are old enough to remember, the demand for performers in hotel lounges and bars is overwhelmingly popular and lucrative.  Danny's guitar playing prowess and his singing talents secure him bookings at many of these establishments in the 70s.

Hearing Danny's stories about this time in his life is one thing, but actually seeing receipts and photos from those years are quite another.  There is one piece of paper that would mean the world to Danny if he could find it in one of these musical annals, but he doesn't hold out much hope.  After all, he's looked everywhere that he can think of up until this point to no avail.  What is this treasured item?  I'll let Danny explain it in his own words as he describes this shadowbox of memorabilia to his friends on Facebook's Martin Fans page.

Near Thanksgiving of 1975, a guy walks into Durty Nellies (a nightclub on the intracoastal in Ft. Lauderdale, FL) where I was on stage performing.  He said that he had Roy Clark in the car and that he needed to borrow a guitar for the night; he promised to have it back that evening.  Being 1975, I said, "Take whatever he wants - the Gretsch White Falcon or the Martin D-28."  He said, "Let me go ask Roy."  He returned to say Roy would like to borrow the Martin D-28.  So, I handed over the guitar and really didn't worry about it.  Trust and a handshake still existed in 1975.  Later that night, he brought the guitar back and handed me the note in the lower right corner of the shadowbox.  I thought I had lost the note, but while organizing photos and music memories, there it was!

In case you can't decipher the cursive in the photo above, here is what Roy wrote:  To Danny I "pre-chee-ate it."  My best, Roy Clark.

Wow!  How I miss the day's when a man's word could be sealed by a simple handshake and honesty was always the best policy.  The world has changed in so many ways since those days, which makes this story of Roy Clark keeping his promise that much more poignant and memorable.

May we, too, be people who keep our word and who reflect God's Word in all that we do and say so we can give Him all honor and glory.

Amen!

Danny still owns the same Martin guitar.  It's 51 years old and sounds better than ever!

The Light of Life

 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he 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

Danny and I are on one of our regular shopping trips to Aldi when I spy an entire endcap loaded with fresh tulips.  With our anniversary right around the corner and Easter, too, we decide to purchase two bunches to adorn our dining table.  Their cheerful yellow hues are an embodiment of the warm spring sunshine and the vibrant, new life emerging all around us.

As I'm seated right in front of them, working on my laptop, I have a front row seat to these beauties.  That's why I witness how the morning light, ever shifting as we move toward summer, streams in from the windows behind me, drawing my attention to them as a spotlight aimed at actors on a stage.

"Light" is my one word for 2026.  The thought of how the presence of light, or lack thereof, changes the tulips' appearance inspires the following photos.

The differences are obvious, aren't they?  But you can tell, too, that the essence of what the tulips are remains the same.

That's what we experience when we choose to follow Jesus.  We may go through dark times of uncertainty, yet because we know He is the light of life, we can trust completely in Him to guide us through any storm we may face.  We, who are made in God's image and made anew in Jesus', carry the essence of the One who willingly came to die for us and for our sins.  We are fully reconciled to the Father through His Son's sacrifice on our behalf.

The day of Easter may have come and gone, but the eternal promise of light and life lingers.  May we resolve to greet each new dawn with renewed hope because of Jesus.  He is the light of the world and the light of our lives.

Amen!

Leaving a Legacy

 

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past.  Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. ~Deuteronomy 32:7

Family photos are priceless heirlooms we can pass on to our children and grandchildren one day.  They will recognize our pictures, of course, but what about their great-grandparents?  Aunts, uncles or cousins whom they've never met?  If meaning and context aren't attached to their ancestors, why would they even hold on to a past when they feel no connection with it?

While I do have some photos and albums stored here at the house, the amount Danny has is overwhelmingly vast.  The reason?  When my brother and I clean out our mother's home after her passing, I take the letters between family members to sort through and he takes the photos in order to do the same.  Sadly, neither one of us has made a lot of progress to date.  Danny's recent project to tackle and sort through all his bins (yes, bins!) of photo albums inspires me to get a move on!

It all begins when he finds these made-in-America plastic containers created especially for photo storage.

As you can see, he has labeled each collections of related photos.  He is so fortunate that pictures of his grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles have been passed down to him over the years.  He also knows that if these photos remain in those adhesive-backed albums, they will not last as long as he would want them to.

I love watching the painstaking process unfold while learning more about Danny's family at the same time.

When Danny had hair!

Danny and baby brother Dominic.

This is but a miniscule example of what Danny has accomplished thus far, but you get the picture (yes, pun intended).  Not only has clutter been reduced and unwanted photos tossed, but the streamlined look of these plastic cases can be conveniently stored unlike those cumbersome bins in which they once resided.

Now there is an easy, accessible way for us to remember the days of old and consider past generations, while leaving a legacy for the generations who will follow us.

Amen!

Are you creating photo memories for your children and grandchildren?  Let me know in the comments.

And don't forget to visit The Christian Lounge during Holy Week!

Miracles of the Forest

 

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ~James 5:7

On our many spring time visits to the Great Smoky Mountains, we notice the abundance of trilliums in the loam-rich, leaf-covered forest floor.  But the header photo isn't taken in those beloved hills, they are right here in our very own backyard!  Their purple blossoms reflect the season of Lent in which they bloom before Easter arrives with all its splendor and glory.

We first notice them sprouting through the leaf mulch a few years ago.  Danny has lived in this home for 35 years and, until that time, he had never seen a single one.  Now, I'm curious.  How did the seeds get here?  Is there a story behind them that we never knew?

Danny decides to have an AI conversation to determine the source of these beautiful wild flowers.  Personally, I'm a bit leery of the AI world, but the facts it can consolidate in moments from a plethora of information is astounding!  In other words, I can't cite exact sources for the details I'm including in this post, but if you ask the right questions of AI, you will discover the same information that Danny does.  Words in italics indicate the AI narrative.

To say that the life cycle of the trillium is complex is the understatement of the century.  There are so many components that have to be present before they can even appear.

• Long Maturity Cycle:  Trilliums typically take 7 to 10 years to grow from a seed into a blooming plant.  During the first several years, they may only produce a single, small leaf before they finally develop their signature three-leaf structure and flower.  If trilliums had grown in Ireland, do you think St. Patrick could have used them to teach the Irish about the Holy Trinity?
• Seed Dispersal by Ants:  Trilliums rely on ants (a process called myrmecochory) to spread their seeds.  Ants carry seeds to their underground nests to eat a fatty attachment called an elaiosome, then "plant" the seeds in their nutrient rich waste piles.  Who said that ants are only pests?  I take it back!
• Environmental Triggers:  Trilliums are spring ephemerals that go dormant and "disappear" by midsummer.  They may have remained in a dormant state for several seasons until conditions - such as a break in the canopy or better moisture - allowed them to reemerge.  This phenomenon for me reflects the endurance of the Church, even and especially in those places where Christians are persecuted, maligned and martyred for their beliefs.  It may seem that the Church is defeated when, in truth, it is growing in surprising and enduring ways.  That is illustrated by:
• Clump Formation:  Once a single plant is established, it can slowly spread via underground rhizomes to form a "clump."  What started as one lone plant years ago has likely been quietly branching out underground, finally sending up multiple stems at once.  Are you acting as a vessel to carry and spread the Good News of Jesus' salvation and love?
• Double Dormancy:  Trillium seeds have a "double dormancy," meaning they require two full winters just to germinate.  The plants you see today are the result of seeds that fell or were moved by ants at least a decade ago.  We can accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior in an instant, but developing a mature relationship with Him takes time, dedication and faith.

Just a few more facts we learn about our particular trillium species:  It's commonly known as "Little Sweet Betsy," and is the most vigorous trillium species in the Georgia Piedmont and mountain regions, and moss (which we have in abundance) is a natural nursery bed for trillium seeds, providing moisture and insulation.

The more I learn about these "miracles of the forest," the more I see the hand of God in all His mighty works.  During this Lenten season, may the trillium teach us the value of patience as we await the coming of our Lord this Easter and His coming again when His day and hour arrive.

Amen!

No Matter How Old

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ~Isaiah 46:4

When our children first begin to crawl, we take every precaution to provide a safe environment for them to explore.  We place protective plugs in electrical outlets, move breakable items to unreachable shelves and keep floors immaculate, free of any debris that could entice a curious hand-to-mouth encounter.

The crawling stage is rapidly followed by what I call the "pulling-up" stage, the precursor to actually attempting to walk.  I vividly recall keeping coffee and end tables clear of anything that a child would find tempting to touch other than a toy that belongs to her.  When Virginia, Savannah and Alexandra, our three granddaughters, visit with us during these particular stages of development, Danny and I spread a large down comforter over the stone hearth of our fireplace so the girls won't run the risk of falling and hitting their heads.

Yes, when our children are young, we do everything possible to child-proof our homes.  But as Danny and I move up in years, we've realized we now need to take conscious measures to senior-proof our home.  What do I mean by that?

In a previous post, What Truly Matters, I write about the checklist we recite before leaving the house in order for Danny to avoid going out in his "hobo" shoes.  There is now one more item to add to our litany - make sure the stove is off!

The other day, we blithely leave the house to go to the grocery store.  Danny fixes some scrambled eggs just before we depart.  When we return and ascend the stairs from the garage to the main floor, something doesn't smell right.  Danny instinctively heads for the kitchen.  Lo and behold!  He has left the burner on (albeit very low) under the cast iron skillet where his eggs were cooked!  Thankfully, with only butter in the pan, and very little of it at that, we are spared what could have been an epic catastrophe.

To ensure that this never happens again, Danny grabs his trusty labeling tool to mark the dials as you can see in the header photo.  When the green tape is facing up, we can rest assured that the stove dials are in the off position and we are good to go.

It certainly seems that our loving Father is sustaining us in these days and rescuing us from so many precarious situations.  Like a watchful parent, He doesn't wish harm upon any of His precious children, no matter how old we are or how much older we become.

Knowing that makes every day ahead promising, reassuring and filled with the hope we can only find in Him.

Amen!

Not Just a Prediction

 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8

When it comes to weather, the month of March here in northwest Georgia is, in a word, unpredictable.  We might enjoy several days of balmy temperatures and sunshine, lulling us into thinking that spring has arrived, only to be rudely awakened a day or two later to discover that winter refuses to surrender.

Here's the perfect illustration of this phenomenon.  The forecast for this Wednesday promises a high of 80 degrees.  Sounds delightful, right?  By Thursday, the tables turn abruptly.  Our high will only reach 56 degrees with an overnight low of 40.  Spring may be the season we long for, yet Old Man Winter will portray her as a flirtatious and fickle lover as long as he can.

This seasonal clash, while making sure we keep our coats and sweaters at the ready, too often results in severe weather as warm and cold fronts collide, battling it out for supremacy.  We already see evidence of this in the recent outbreak of deadly tornadoes that strike both Oklahoma and Michigan last Friday.

I'm ever so grateful that our county has severe storm sirens to warn us of any impending dangers.  Weather apps on our phones don't hurt, either!

March is a roller coaster ride - highs, lows, twists, turns - continuous uncertainty and white-knuckled moments.  It gives fresh credence to this saying attributed to Mark Twain:  If you don't like today's weather, just wait five minutes.

We may be at the mercy of this month's tumultuous vagaries, but in the midst of it all, we can rest assured that Jesus is constant and immutable.  He is the same yesterday and today and forever.  And we can completely trust Him to be here with us at all times and in all places no matter the weather, foul or fair.

And that, my friends, is not just a prediction; it's the guaranteed Good News forever!

Amen!

Happy Birthday!

 

Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you!  I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and deliver you. ~Isaiah 46:4

This past Sunday, March 1st, marks my 71st birthday!  This simply doesn't seem possible.  Memories of past celebrations come flooding back like a rain-swollen creek, inundating my mind with events of yesteryear that feel disarmingly present as a breath in the moment.  How did all that water of my life flow under the bridge without my realization of how swiftly it would flow?

I seriously doubt I'm the only one from the Baby Boomer era who feels the same way.  It reminds me of the scene in It's a Wonderful Life when an older gentleman sitting on his porch witnesses George and Mary conversing in a teasingly romantic way.  He becomes indignant at the banter and boldly advises George to go ahead and kiss her already!  George takes umbrage, telling the man to stick around if he wants to see some real kissing.  The old man waves him off in frustration with this classic rejoinder:  Youth is wasted on the wrong people!

Honestly, If I knew at age 25 what I know now, there are so many things I would have done differently.  But that's not God's plan.  He wants us to grow in His grace and wisdom over time.  He is infinitely patient with His beloved children.  As Pastor Jared so aptly states in his latest sermon, "God doesn't simply want us to know about Him, He wants us to know Him through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When I reflect upon where I am now compared to that lost, lonely soul I once was, I can see how my life's journey has been abundantly and richly blessed.  I'll take this new year on with dignified expectation, confident that my Father who has brought me through the past will guide me in whatever years the future holds for me.  I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that is is He who will carry and deliver me.

And He will do the same for you.

Amen!

I will close by sharing some special birthday moments with you.  Enjoy!

Danny and I enjoy lunch at Appalachian Grill.  I order shrimp and he chooses haddock.

I wonder what's in the bag?

Of course!  The two books I asked Danny for.  Thanks, honey!

And then, there are this gorgeous bouquet of flowers sent by my daughter, son-in-law and the grands.

And for my birthday dinner Sunday night?  Here's the photo for the plate made just for me. 

 Do any of you want to venture a guess as to what the "mystery" meat is?  Danny isn't a fan, but he loves me enough to cook them up on my special day.  Leave your guesses in the comments below.

Thanks so very much, dear friends, for visiting here with me today and celebrating together!